To understand the functioning and existence, we at Social Media Matters conducted a research about the existing Cyber Unit Cells in India to help the citizens have easy access to it. It was a roller coaster of nearly 60 days where we connected with the officials, sent out emails and a lot more. To know what we did, read out story.
Here’s our Story!
Firstly, we did desk review about the existing information available on the web – in form of articles, reports and news clips. It was quite astonishing to study the available information as there was a huge discrepancy in the data of each state. We compiled the list to connect with the officers and know about their practice.
Our second step was to cross check information – we sent out mails to all the officers who were mentioned in the lists to know if a complainant sends an email will s(he) be guided with the next steps of reporting. It was unfortunate to experience that 90% of the mails bounced back. This means that if anyone wishes to lodge a complaint then s(he) JUST CAN’T! Since, the response of the emails was unsatisfactory so our next move was to make a call in each state to examine if the numbers provided are functional or not. It was observed that 60 – 70% of the numbers available are either the personal numbers of the officer or it didn’t exist.
When we failed to have enough information, we visited website of police department of each state to find out faultless information which could be provided to the users and who could easily connect with the concerned officers. The whole process took us nearly 60 days to complete the action and compile a new list with functional information (a detailed list of which can be accessed on our website).
The other side of this initiative was that some of the officers we connected with were deeply helpful and detailed the process how a case is filed and escalated by the team (if any). Overall, our experience was a mix bag – some were extremely humble while some just hung up without even detailing whether a cyber-unit existed in their state or not.
After the completion of our ground research, we planned to come up with a productive solution to battle increasing cyber crime.
We launched our WhatsApp Help Centre which is functioning 24X7 and helping the victims of Cyber Violence.
To File/Report a Cyber Crime Case you should:
- Report the matter to the nearest Police Station
- In case of a Sexually Abusive Content primarily of Rape or Gang Rape/Child Sexual Abuse Material – Child Pornography You can report on the Government Official Site
- Or connect with us on our WhatsApp Helpline: +91 8826348817