Gumla: The Gumla administration on Wednesday hosted ‘Digital Raksha Pathshala’, a special learning programme at K O College in Gumla, to help district residents understand cyber security measures. Notably, it was the first of a kind meeting with a focus on fake news sharing and cyber frauds, aiming to safeguard denizens against increasing cybercrimes, online cheating, fraudulence, and fake websites. It featured a panel discussion by experts, a workshop, and an interactive session. Over 1,000 selected participants, including students, panchayat representatives, teachers, members of non-governmental organisations, village-level entrepreneurs (VLEs who operate common service centres), govt functionaries, and those associated with digital services, attended the event. Inaugurating the session jointly with SP Haris Bin Zaman, DDC Dileshwar Mahto, and other experts, Gumla DC Prerna Dixit said, “It’s a need of the time to link digital literacy with awareness. During public grievances, many falling victim to online cheating come to the fore while the legal process associated with it is complicated and long drawn.” The DC said, “Fake news is also a kind of cybercrime as it spreads misconceptions in society, harming people both mentally and socially.”SP Zaman said, “Cybercrime is now not limited to OTP only. Links, voice samples, and photographs are also used in committing fraudulence.” He added, “Security of your data is in your hands. Any suspicious call, message, or link should immediately be informed to the nearest police station or contacted on helpline number 1930.” A team of cyber experts shed light on the various aspects of OTP fraud, fake messages, fake news, online cheating, fake websites, security aspects, and technology know-how on handling digital gadgets and how to lodge an online complaint if one falls victim to fraudulence.
