NEW DELHI: What began as concern over rising instances of cyber crime ended with demands for tighter regulation of the internet as MPs listed complaints about being targeted online and spoke of a perceived increase in such frauds.
The discussion began with Delhi Congress chief J P Agarwal's question regarding the trend in cyber crime but information technology and communications minister Kapil Sibal's response that policing the internet was a work in progress led to calls for tougher action against social media.
MPs asked for measures against social media and internet companies following heated comments as members spoke of slack enforcement by Indian agencies with regard to hacking and false offers and awards.
Former Bollywood star and Rampur MP Jayaprada said celebrities are being targeted on Facebook. "Fake Facebook accounts are being created and nude pictures are posted on them. There is no provision to delete them. Is the government trying to find the links to those who create these accounts? This is not freedom of expression," she said.
Agreeing with her, Sibal said celebrities are being defamed on the internet. "Many condemnable things appear not only against people but organizations and religions. We should oppose it in one voice," he said calling on MPs to support the government in bringing strong measures.
Sibal's response that in most cases companies were registered outside India and could not be charged under Indian law was met with noisy protests from MPs who said the government is trying to wash its hands off its responsibility.
RJD leader Lalu Yadav chipped in saying an inquiry should be conducted. Trinamool Congress Ratna De called for a national cyber policy and a stronger IT Act, JD(U)'s Rajiv Ranjan "Lallan" and several BJP MPs were also on their feet.
Sibal condemned action against the two Maharashtra girls who were arrested for their Facebook posts. In reply to a question on the recent controversy over use of Section 66A in the case, the minister conceded that police personnel do not have sufficient knowledge about cyber laws.
"If we object to certain postings we will violate freedom of expression. This government is fully committed to ensuring freedom of expression. The Maharashtra chief minister himself took action on this case in his state," Sibal said.
According to data given by the ministry, while the number of cases of internet fraud involving ATM debit and credit cards had decreased, the amount siphoned off in such transactions has increased.
Reserve Bank of India (RBI) cited that the number of fraud cases as reported by banks on account of ATM debit cards/credit cards/internet decreased from 15,018 in 2010 to 8,322 in 2012. However, the amount involved had increased from Rs 4048.94 lakh in 2010 to Rs 5266.95 lakh in 2012.
Sibal informed the House that the government has formed Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) to keep a watchful eye on all cyber activities and in case of a threat of a cyber attack it informs those likely to be targeted. He said Rs 300 crore had already been spent on protecting websites against hacking and the government plans to spend more on this programme.
