NIA will be holding a first BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) webinar for its member nations on misuse of internet by terrorists

On April 13-14, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) will conduct a BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) webinar for the first time on the misuse of the Internet by terrorists.

The seminar titled 'Misuse of the Internet for terrorist purposes and role of digital forensic in terrorist investigations' will be held at the Sushma Swaraj Bhawan in the BRICS Secretariat, sources told India Today TV.

"Dark web, terror recruitment on the Internet and cryptocurrency are among several topics which will be discussed by member countries with India as the host starting the proceedings. The keynote address will be given by Union Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla," a source said.

There will be several speakers including experts, an NIA official said. The concluding remark will be given by NIA DG YC Modi.

All Member Countries To Appear On Virtual Platform Managed By MEA

All five member countries Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa have confirmed participation and will appear on a virtual platform of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The meeting was pushed by a year due to the Covid-19 pandemic. This year, too, it was scheduled at an earlier date but got postponed to April 13 and 14.

A joint working grouping has been constituted by BRICS with five focus areas -- terrorist financing, countering radicalisation, issue of foreign terrorist fighters, capacity-building and use of the Internet for terrorist purposes. India was selected in 2018 to chair the sub-group on the misuse of the Internet by terrorists.

During the BRICS National Security Advisers’ meet in Brazil, NSA Ajit Doval had proposed a BRICS workshop on digital forensics in India.

"Terror groups often exploit the online environment with global digital platforms remaining a challenge. Various online means are being utilised by terrorist organisations to recruit their followers, communicate with their supporters or promote their activities. Besides the dark web, social media has been used to spread violence, showcase various terror attacks live," an officer said.