CYBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

CYBER VOLUNTEER PROGRAMME

Subject : Governance

Context : The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday that a “cyber volunteer” programme has been rolled out for “cyber hygiene promotion” and the services of volunteers would be utilised by the State police as per requirement.

Concept :

Cyber Crime Volunteers Concept:

• Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) has envisaged the Cyber Crime Volunteers Program to bring together citizens with passion to serve the nation on a single platform and contribute in the fight against cybercrime in the country.
• The programme targets to rope in around 500 persons to flag unlawful content on the Internet.
• Good Samaritans are welcomed to register as Cyber Crime Volunteers in the role of unlawful content flaggers for facilitating law enforcement agencies in identifying, reporting and removal of illegal/unlawful online content.
• Volunteers have been advised to study Article 19 of the Indian Constitution, which deals with freedom of expression.
• Further, the volunteer shall “maintain strict confidentiality of tasks assigned/carried out by him/her”. The State Nodal Officer of States/UTs also reserves the right to take legal action against the Volunteer, in case of violation of terms and conditions of the Program.
• Unlawful Content, in general means content that violates any law in force in India.