How far is Google willing to go to combat the onslaught of digital deception in India?
At a Glance
- Google has announced a new “Safety Charter” for India at its “Safer with Google India Summit” in New Delhi.
- The initiative addresses rampant online fraud, boosts cybersecurity, and ensures ethical AI practices.
- Google’s “Digikavach” program has already provided AI-enhanced protection to over 177 million Indians.
- The move comes as UPI-related fraud in India has hit an estimated $11 billion, an 85% year-over-year increase.
- The company also dedicates $20 million through Google.org to bolster cybersecurity frameworks across the Asia-Pacific region.
The Scale of India’s Online Fraud Problem
Cyber fraud in India has reached alarming levels, with the country suffering staggering losses from UPI-related scams. This new crime wave uses advanced technologies like AI-generated content and deepfake videos to deceive users. The staggering growth of these scams underlines the urgent need for effective anti-fraud measures from tech companies.
“India’s digital journey continues to unlock incredible opportunities, but alongside that, we’ve also seen a rise in the sophistication and aggression of the threat landscape,” said Heather Adkins, Google’s Vice President of Engineering, in a report from the Indian Express. “If the threats are moving at machine speed, we must also react at machine speed.”
Google’s AI-Powered Solution
In response, Google has launched its new “Safety Charter” for India. The initiative targets online fraud and the protection of AI systems, aiming to enhance cybersecurity for individuals, businesses, and government bodies. As detailed by TechCrunch, this effort includes the “Digikavach” initiative is a program that has already delivered AI-enhanced protection to over 177 million Indians by intercepting risky app installations and alerting users to potential scams.
A Collaborative Defense Strategy
Google’s commitment extends beyond its corporate measures. The company is dedicating an additional $20 million through Google.org to ramp up cybersecurity frameworks across the Asia-Pacific region. This includes collaborations with institutions like IIT-Madras to offer training and upscale digital safeguarding skills.
“For India to become Viksit Bharat, we must build and maintain trust in the internet and our digital infrastructure,” said Preeti Lobana, Director of Google’s Trust and Safety division, in a story from Business Today. “Our AI systems constantly evolve to detect new threats and scams.” This multi-faceted approach, including collaboration with India’s Ministry of Home Affairs, reinforces user trust by solving existing fraud issues and anticipating future threats.
