Stop Technology Misuse

As technology has become a powerful tool today, which can decide the fates of the country’s future, it becomes necessary that the government should keep a vigil and take all precautions to protect national interests through all possible measures. With cyberattacks, digital espionage, misinformation, and data theft can prove to be destructive the steps should be taken in the direction to curb all these possibilities without any exceptions.
Though the task is herculean but there is no other option available to the dispensation thus making it important to stop anti-national elements from exploiting digital tools such as VPNs, anonymous communication channels, and fake or unverified social-media identities to spread propaganda, conduct financial frauds, coordinate illegal activities, and compromise national security. In this context, the steps taken by the government both at the national level and the local level have become the need of the hour.
The centre has recently come up with new SIM-binding rules to rewrite how Indians use their messaging apps. As per the order issued in this regard, people will now no longer be able to run apps like WhatsApp, Telegram or Signal on a device without the active SIM card inside it. Although this seems to be a harsh step, looking at the security aspect, such steps have become inevitable for safeguarding the country against anti-nationals and adversaries, working from inside and abroad.
In the same context, the local administrations in J&K’s Rajouri and Poonch Districts have ordered the suspension of virtual private network (VPN) services for two months, citing potential misuse of the technology by anti-social elements for unlawful activities. The steps like restricting the misuse of VPN services, mandating active and verified SIM-based authentication for social-media platforms therefore holds much significance in containing the trouble. These measures can help authorities keep order and ensure safety of people which has lately become utmost necessary. No doubt, such measures at times pinch the common man with no dubious background but these have become utmost necessary for shielding the country from emerging cyber threats and ensuring that technology becomes a tool for development, not a weapon in the hands of anti-nationals.