In a significant development, Priyank Kharge, Karnataka's IT Minister, revealed on Saturday that the state government is actively exploring a collaboration with social media giant Meta, with a specific focus on cyber safety, particularly concerning the security of women and children in the digital space, PTI reported.
Kharge made this announcement during his address at the Digital Suraksha Summit, highlighting the rapid digital transformation currently underway in India. As the country experiences an accelerated adoption of digital technologies, the need for accessible tools and resources to protect online well-being becomes increasingly evident. The government of Karnataka is dedicated to working closely with various stakeholders and experts to establish an inclusive and supportive digital environment.
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Speaking with reporters later, Minister Kharge stated, "We are looking at exploring partnerships with Meta on digital and cyber safety, especially with respect to women and child safety. We are also trying to see how we can prevent youngsters from falling prey to faulty loan apps." He emphasized that more than 60 individuals in India have lost their lives due to illegal apps, with many cases remaining unreported. "We have already taken action and shut down more than 8-10 illegal loan apps operating in Bengaluru," he added.
Additionally, Kharge raised concerns about the prevalence of illegal betting apps in tier II towns and rural areas, often operating in vernacular languages, posing a significant challenge for the government's efforts to combat them.
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Earlier this year, Meta launched the Digital Suraksha Summit, building on its ongoing initiatives to ensure a safer and more inclusive internet experience for all users. These efforts encompass digital education, youth well-being, child safety, tackling misinformation, and educating users about safety tools and resources available across Meta platforms.
Sandhya Devanathan, Vice President of Meta in India, emphasized their commitment to empowering millions of people, especially women and youth, through their apps. She noted that Meta continually works to implement the right policies, products, and precautions to create a secure and positive online experience for all users.
Meta has introduced over 30 safety tools and features in the past three years, with a particular focus on the safety of teenage users. Initiatives like 'Quiet Mode' on Instagram and Parental Supervision Tools, as well as the Family Center, offer parents greater control over their children's experiences on Instagram. Similar tools have been incorporated into Messenger to give parents insights into how their teens use the platform and who they interact with. New tools to limit unwanted interactions in Instagram DM and Messenger, along with nudging teens to set time limits on Facebook, have also been introduced.
Facebook, under the Meta umbrella, provides additional resources for child and women's safety in the Safety Centre. These resources are designed to support parents, caregivers, and educators with policies, resources, and tools aimed at ensuring the safety and well-being of youth online. The Safety Centre offers a wide array of safety resources for women navigating the platform. Importantly, these resources are available in Kannada and ten other Indian languages.
