Social Media Offenses Elevate, Leading to Blocking of Over 80% of False Accounts by Cybercrime Department
Cybercrime Complaints Flood Kuwait's Ministry of Interior
Every day, the Cybercrime Department in Kuwait's Ministry of Interior grapples with a torrent of complaints—120 to be exact. The bulk of these complaints involves defamation, slander, and the sharing of misleading information across social media platforms.
According to inside sources, approximately 80 percent of the fake accounts, which are commonly used to disseminate harmful content, have been quashed. These accounts, believed to be managed from foreign territories, have already resulted in legal action leading to final court rulings.
Monthly, around 500 cybercrime cases storm through the courts, with half being resolved via reconciliation. A cause for concern among officials is the increasing number of young people and women caught up in these digital quagmires, many unknowingly breaking the law when they retweet or share defamatory or false content.
To combat the escalating threat to societal harmony, the department's technical support team plays an integral role in raising awareness and providing guidance, both via WhatsApp and in-person lectures at government institutions, especially schools.
The department's remit extends beyond defamation and false news to encompass a broad spectrum of digital offenses, such as hacking, eavesdropping, and incitement to obscenity, as well as violations of public morals. Authorities stressed their proactive approach to combating online fraud, thanks to close collaboration with the Communications and Banking Authority.
Tackling Online Defamation, False News, and Cybercrime
While Kuwait lacks concrete data on the effectiveness of its Cybercrime Department in dealing with online defamation, false news, and other cybercrimes, neighboring countries with similar legal frameworks have shown progress in combating these issues. Law enforcement agencies in these countries actively prosecute offenders, suggesting that Kuwait may follow a similar path.
Public education efforts, especially targeting young people and women, are gaining traction in the region. Awareness campaigns and digital skills training programs are being implemented to help empower both youth and women to navigate online spaces safely and responsibly.
In conclusion, while there is no definitive evidence of Kuwait's Cybercrime Department's effectiveness, given regional trends and legal frameworks criminalizing online defamation and false news, it's safe to assume Kuwait's department is taking strides to tackle these challenges. Education and awareness initiatives, particularly for young people and women, are increasingly recognized as a crucial component in the fight against cybercrime.
The Cybercrime Department in Kuwait's Ministry of Interior intends to tackle not only defamation and false news but also other digital offenses such as hacking and incitement to obscenity, as well as violations of public morals through their proactive approach and close collaboration with the Communications and Banking Authority.
As social-media platforms continue to be utilized for the dissemination of misleading information and defamatory content, the department's technical support team also focuses on awareness and guidance, targeting young people and women to ensure they navigated the online spaces safely and responsibly, as a part of general-news and crime-and-justice issues.
