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reported by: Ankur Sharma
Last updated: Jul 19, 2023 at 10:11 am IST
The government is likely to use well-known faces on social media to make people aware of these apps that are deceiving the public. (clash)
Not only do the platforms ask for sensitive details like bank account numbers, Aadhaar number or PAN card in the guise of player verification, but proceeds are suspected of disappearing from India through hawala, cryptocurrency or other black market transactions.
The government has raised concerns about OTT platforms, social media sites that broadcast outdoor gambling advertisements, and betting apps that are under fire over security concerns among other issues.
According to the sources, the announcements were discussed in detail in a meeting held recently this month with several agencies and ministries.
The Government of India has already asked TV channels and OTT platforms not to display ads, but despite the directives, some OTT platforms are airing them, a senior official who attended the meeting told News18. Last year, the government required all satellite channels and streaming services like Netflix, Hotstar, Amazon Prime Video and others not to air gambling and betting advertisements or promotional videos or take legal action against them. However, during the technical analysis, it was found that these apps were using a few OTT platforms that were not top rated for their ads. Some of them only display 18+ content.
The officer said that after not using TV channels, the biggest advertising tool for betting and gambling apps operating from an unknown or suspected location is social media websites and apps. Fake companies also push ads through accounts that have more followers on social media websites and apps. Many influencers – especially medium, micro and micro level influencers – have been observed promoting these third party betting and gambling apps in their videos.
The government is expected soon to issue advice to social media influencers to avoid promoting such suspicious apps that harm the country’s financial and security structure. The official added that the government is also likely to mobilize well-known faces on social media to make people aware of these apps that are cheating the public.
Officials also raised concerns about the number of complaints the government has received in the past few months about fraud being perpetrated by these companies.
Since 2018, MHA’s Indian Internet Crime Coordination Center (I4C) has received more than 8,000 complaints in the online gambling/betting category.
common mode of operation
These betting apps accept payments through UPI, bank transfers, and credit/debit cards, among other modes (which also include cryptocurrency). Since betting and gambling are illegal in most of India, these payments are received by Indian agents or companies which are set up in India for the purpose. Later, they were transferred to the actual account which is still difficult to trace.
Threat to financial security
According to an official communication on these apps, government agencies said that these platforms are asking for other sensitive details such as bank account numbers, Aadhaar number, PAN card, etc. of players under the guise of player verification, which poses a threat to the character. Indian Citizens Information.
It is suspected that revenue thus generated is being stolen from India through hawala, cryptocurrency or other black market transactions, threatening India’s financial security. Funds may also be used to finance other illegal and criminal activities that may disrupt public order and national security
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