Legal
Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response on PIL Addressing Cybercrime Surge and Spam Calls
NEW DELHI : The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought the Centre’s response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) highlighting a sharp rise in cybercrimes and the growing nuisance of unsolicited calls across the country.
The PIL, filed by Gowrishankar from Bengaluru, calls for immediate measures to address these issues, which have become a significant concern for citizens.
Registrations Open for FutureCrime Summit 2025: India’s Largest Conference on Technology-Driven Crime
A bench comprising Chief Justice of India Sanjiv Khanna and Justice Sanjay Kumar observed that government agencies were making efforts to tackle the problem but acknowledged the need for further action. “We understand the problem exists. Let the Centre respond,” the bench remarked, issuing a notice to the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The PIL specifically urged the implementation of the Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) service by telecom operators. This feature, which displays the caller’s name in the phone’s caller ID section, could enable users to identify unknown callers and make informed decisions about answering calls. It is also seen as a potential solution to reduce spam and fraudulent calls, which are often linked to cybercrimes.
The Supreme Court’s notice to the DoT signals its recognition of the pressing need to address these issues. The Centre is expected to outline its plans to combat the rise in cybercrimes and improve mechanisms to prevent unsolicited calls.
The case underscores the importance of leveraging technology to enhance security and protect citizens from digital threats.
