Web 2.0: Pakistan's new weapon?

NEW DELHI, INDIA: Amidst global concerns over Pakistan's terror outfits, the cyber miscreants are now stealthily leveraging Web 2.0 technologies for dispersion of unsocial propaganda. Blame it on security loopholes or absence of cross border alliance, the hate crusade is at its best.

Be it rumor campaigns or hate speech, or even fueling the mob fury over social networks- Pakistan's deep-seated cyber firebrands are not leaving any stone unturned. India's neighbor, plagued by Wahhabi terrorism, has apparently done away with the spoilsport at cyberspace.

The outrage over Assam violence is a clear indication of a well crafted Web 2.0 dodgy strategy. Close to 40 per cent of images and videos, as claimed by home ministry officials, are doctored, morphed or misrepresented.

Speaking to CIOL, India's leading techno-legal expert and senior counsel at top court Praveen Dalal feels that international cooperation is necessary to resolve cross border issues. ''Till we have a harmonized international legal framework, abuse of social networks cannot be effectively prevented,'' he said. 

Web 2.0 abuse, Dalal believes, from any country, including Pakistan, can be best resolved by approaching the respective Internet companies and the representatives of Pakistan. ''Blocking of Websites by Indian Government is of no practical utility and is at most a knee jerk reaction,'' he opined.

''Rumour propaganda through the Internet is going to stay in future as well. India must be well prepared to deal with sensitive issues,'' he said.  Social networks, Dalal feels, must be an essential part of cyber Crisis Management Policy of India so the rumors in Cyberspace can be tackled successfully.

With slothful responsiveness, the Web 2.0 companies such as Facebook and Google, are all set for another fiasco with the Center. This time around, the government has a strong reason to argue. Notices to more than 250 such Websites have already been served, while DoT has ratified only 5 SMS/day cap.