‘Cop' threatening on call? Soon, check ID on app
Mumbai: To prevent misuse of police identities in digital arrest frauds, the state govt has allotted Rs 4 crore for procurement of digital ID cards for 51,308 police personnel and other staffers of city police.
Home department sources said at present, police personnel carry physical ID cards that can be easily copied, and flagged a recent increase in cybercrimes through misuse of police ID cards, including in digital arrest cases. The smart ID system will incorporate advanced security features, including QR codes and holographic elements, making them virtually difficult to replicate, a govt resolution said.
Citizens who get video calls from purported police personnel—a notorious tactic of cyber fraudsters—can check their credentials by asking them to reveal their digital ID and cross-checking it on a free app that will be developed by
Mumbai police
.
Each digital ID card will contain the police personnel's key details, along with a photograph. The app will provide immediate verification results, displaying an officer's current status and authentication details.
The digital ID cards will be mandatory for all police personnel while on duty, whether in uniform or plain clothes. This requirement applies particularly during investigations, house visits or when interacting with the public, said sources.
The tender process for selecting the technology provider will prioritise companies with experience in secure identification systems. Police will need to ensure that the selected vendor complies with data protection standards, officials said.
The new technology's successful implementation in Mumbai will serve as a blueprint for expansion to other cities and districts across the state, govt said.
Cybersecurity expert and lawyer Prashant Mali, however, expressed doubts over the new system's efficacy in reining in cyber fraudsters. He said it is unlikely to work on two counts. "The victim won't be in the right frame of mind to ascertain if the cop is genuine. Secondly, to create awareness about digital IDs, it will take another decade. Fraudsters are capable of creating fake websites with the data of police personnel.
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