Social media turns abuse platform in Kerala

KOZHIKODE: Considering the number of cases reported by the various cyber cells in the state, abuse on social networking sites forms the majority, and according to a top official of the Hi-tech cell, social media has become an abusive platform. As per the records available with the city cyber cell, last year, of the 120 cyber cases registered, 66 are under social network abuse.

“Mostly, defamation and related crimes are happening through social media/networking sites, the servers to which are mostly outside India. The accused are also, in many cases, Keralites residing in the Gulf. In such cases also, the cyber cell has limitations. There are other instances, where the complainants withdraw the petition, when they reach a consensus,” said Hi-tech cell assistant commandant N. Vinayakumaran Nair.

He added that there was also a declining trend in filing complaints, as the action taken in the cases were dwindling. “After 66 (A) was dropped, the number of cases being registered has also come down. People need immediate response to complaints, and when the agencies are beyond the control of the state and central forces, it might get delayed,” he said. The department is already giving awareness classes to students, government offices and residents associations about the seriousness of cyber crimes and preventive measures to be taken.