SC Considers CBI Probe into "Digital Arrest" Cybercrime Menace
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: Internal Security (Cybercrime, Cyber Security, Central Bureau of Investigation - CBI); Indian Polity (Judiciary - Suo Motu Cognizance); Science & Technology (Artificial Intelligence - AI); Economy (Money Laundering).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (Polity & Governance): "Structure, organization and functioning of the Judiciary"; "Role of statutory, regulatory and various quasi-judicial bodies" (CBI).
General Studies Paper 3 (Internal Security & S&T): "Challenges to internal security through communication networks, role of media and social networking sites"; "Basics of cyber security; money-laundering and its prevention"; "Awareness in the fields of IT, Computers, robotics, AI."
Key Highlights from the News
The Supreme Court may direct a CBI investigation into new types of cyber fraud called "digital arrests."
This method involves impersonating judges and police officers, using AI and other technologies to create morph courtrooms, and threatening innocent people to extort money.
The Solicitor General informed the court that these are organized crimes "across the border" and are backed by "money-laundering gangs."
Such frauds are largely carried out from "scam compounds."
The Supreme Court took up the case suo motu after a fraud occurred in Haryana.
The court also expressed doubt whether the CBI has the human and technological resources to investigate so many cybercrimes.
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