Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious... | UPSC 2024 GS3 Q20

QUESTION 20

GS3

15 marks

Social media and encrypting messaging services pose a serious security challenge. What measures have been adopted at various levels to address the security implications of social media? Also suggest any other remedies to address the problem.

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11 min

250 words

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What the examiner wants

Explain the security risks from social media and encrypted messaging, the measures taken at different levels, and further remedies.

DiscussExplain the different sides of the issue, use evidence, and finish with a balanced view.

Demand-wise check

1Challenges: radicalisation and recruitment, coordination of riots and terror, fake news and deepfakes, cross-border influence operations, untraceable encrypted chats, cyber fraud≈65 words
2Measures: IT Act Section 69A blocking, IT Rules 2021 (traceability of first originator for significant messaging platforms), CERT-In, I4C, Sahyog portal, fact-check units, state cyber cells, global cooperation (Budapest-style MLATs)≈65 words
3Remedies: platform accountability, AI-based detection, digital literacy, privacy-respecting lawful access, faster MLATs≈65 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

Nature of threatMeasures by level (law, institutions, platforms, international)Gaps (privacy vs security)RemediesConclusion

Where marks usually go

Ignoring the encryption–privacy debate
Not organising measures by level, as the question asks

Draw this

Table: level → measure

Value addition

RuleIT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 require significant messaging intermediaries to identify the first originator of information on court or government order.MeitY, IT Rules 2021 Rule 4(2)
InstitutionIndian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C) runs the 1930 helpline and cybercrime.gov.in portal.Ministry of Home Affairs

Mapped topper copies

Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.

Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 21 ↗Same syllabus reference
Aniket Ranjan · AIR 48 · Page 19 ↗Same syllabus reference
Mayank Purohit · AIR 33 · Page 11 ↗Same syllabus reference
Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 47 ↗Same syllabus reference

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