India's swift embrace of digital technology has positioned it as the second-most targeted country for cyberattacks worldwide, leading major telecom and tech firms to establish Safer Internet India (SII), a partnership focused on combating cyber fraud and internet scams. Bharti Airtel, Microsoft, Vodafone Idea (Vi), Google, and Meta have collaborated to tackle escalating cybersecurity issues, especially as the next surge of 600 million internet users steps into the digital landscape.
"SII will address challenges such as frauds and scams while fostering responsible innovation and digital adoption," the coalition said in a joint statement.
Shivnath Thukral, vice president and head of public policy at Meta India, emphasized the importance of industry collaboration, stating that SII will help combat emerging online threats. “The initiative extends Meta’s goal of actively working with peers to discuss the latest trends and strategies to prevent, detect, and respond to criminal scammers,” he added.
Rahul Vatts, chief regulatory officer at Bharti Airtel, reinforced the company's commitment to internet safety. "Ensuring a safe and secure internet experience for customers is a top priority," he said, noting that Airtel launched a spam-fighting network last September.
Highlighting India’s leadership in GenAI adoption, Jyoti Pawar, group general counsel at Microsoft India & South Asia, stressed the coalition’s urgency. "By leveraging advanced technologies and innovative solutions, we are dedicated to making the internet a safer and more secure space for all," she said.
With cyber threats escalating, the SII coalition marks a significant step in safeguarding India’s digital landscape.
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