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WhatsApp may block devices linked to digital arrest scams: Centre tells SC
The Centre told the Supreme Court it is exploring blocking device IDs linked to digital arrest scams and retaining deleted-account data for 180 days, as part of a four-front enforcement plan. WhatsApp reported banning over 9,400 scam-related accounts since January and outlined its detection measures. A Supreme Court bench is scheduled to consider the status report on May 12, 2026.
Why It Matters
This reflects a move toward a more centralized regulatory framework for platform accountability and cross-industry cooperation to curb cyber fraud, potentially increasing government influence over platform governance.
Timeline
10 Events
Centre signals potential standardisation across platforms
April 29, 2026
The Centre indicated that measures may need to be standardised across platforms in due course to improve anti-fraud effectiveness.
Statutory framework for victim compensation and PMLA rules
April 29, 2026
The status report flags the absence of a statutory framework for compensating victims and asks the court to direct the Ministry of Law and Justice on whether fresh legislation is required; it also seeks directions to examine using Section 12AA for cyber fraud and cyber arrest-related transactions and to frame requisite rules.
Biometric Verification and SIM traceability measures urged
April 29, 2026
The Centre asked the court to direct the DoT to notify the Telecommunications (User Identification) Rules alongside a Biometric Identity Verification System to enable real-time cross-jurisdictional traceability of SIMs and swift deactivation of flagged numbers.
RBI SOP for temporary debit holds
April 29, 2026
The status report urged RBI to approve a standard operating procedure for placing temporary debit holds on suspicious accounts, detailing time-bound inter-bank coordination, priority restoration protocols and automated red-flagging systems.
Hearing scheduled to consider status report
April 29, 2026
The Supreme Court bench was scheduled to consider the MHA status report on May 12.
Centre tells SC: device ID blocking and 180-day data retention
April 29, 2026
The Centre told the Supreme Court it would examine the feasibility of blocking device IDs linked to digital arrest scams and proposed retaining data of deleted accounts for a minimum of 180 days to aid law enforcement, outlining enforcement across four fronts: platform accountability, banking safeguards, SIM traceability and victim compensation.
WhatsApp bans over 12 weeks beginning January
January 2026
WhatsApp banned more than 9,400 accounts linked to digital arrest scams in India over a 12-week period beginning January 2026, acting on inputs from the I4C, MeitY and the Department of Telecommunications.
IDC constituted and first decisions
December 26, 2025
The Inter-Departmental Committee (IDC) was constituted and, in its first meeting, decided that victims should not bear losses attributable to negligence by banks, telecom providers or other regulated entities.
Suo motu cognisance of digital arrest scams
October 17, 2025
The Supreme Court took suo motu cognisance after a 73-year-old Ambala woman reported fraud where impersonators posing as CBI officials used a fake Supreme Court order to coerce her into transferring over ₹1 crore.
Cybercrime losses highlighted
2024
The status report notes cybercrime losses rose to ₹22,845 crore in 2024 with over 2.2 million incidents.