A special wing of cyber cops will protect the devotees and tourists visiting the Prayagraj Maha Kumbh 2025 from the dark web and digital scammers.
The Yogi Adityanath government in Uttar Pradesh is laying out an elaborate digital firewall for the mega religious congregation on an unprecedented scale, introducing advanced technology for the larger benefit of devotees.
Under the overarching digital architecture, extensive measures are being implemented to prevent online fraud and ensure cyber safety for visitors.
A dedicated cyber police station has been established in the Kumbh Mela area to tackle threats such as the misuse of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the dark web, and social media platforms.
It will be manned by a team of cyber experts and officers to manage the digital security of the anticipated 450 million devotees expected to congregate during the 45-day Kumbh starting January 13 to February 26.
These specialists will provide round-the-clock vigilance, ensuring a secure and seamless experience for pilgrims from India and abroad.
Senior Superintendent of Police Rajesh Dwivedi said an action plan has been framed to shield the devotees from cyber fraud, including threats from dark websites and malicious activities on social media.
Measures are in place to prevent misuse of AI, social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, Instagram and Google.
Suspicious activities, such as fake links used by fraudsters, are being closely monitored and neutralised.
In a proactive move, the cyber security team has already identified 44 suspicious websites and initiated action against them. A dedicated helpline number, 1920, has been launched to provide information related to the event.
Additionally, official government websites (with .gov.in in their domain) are being promoted for authentic information.
Devotees are being encouraged to report fake websites to local police stations, where the Cyber Police will take immediate action.