India Faces 1.5 Million Cyberattacks, Bans Pakistani Handles, and Arrests YouTuber Amid Cyberwarfare Threats

The Indian government has intensified its cybersecurity measures amid rising cyber threats and the risk of cyberwarfare targeting the nation's digital infrastructure. Officials, including Abhishek Singh, Additional Secretary at the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), emphasized the readiness to defend against potential cyberattacks. During recent conflicts, India faced approximately 1.5 million cyberattacks, with only 150 breaches succeeding, highlighting robust defensive capabilities. However, challenges remain in countering disinformation and narrative warfare effectively.

In response to hostile digital propaganda, India has banned several Pakistani social media handles and YouTube channels to curb the spread of coordinated misinformation and protect domestic digital spaces. The government has also requested the withholding of multiple Pakistani accounts on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter) to limit cross-border hostile narratives. The arrest of YouTuber Jyoti Malhotra on allegations of spying for Pakistan has underscored the government's focus on counter-espionage and intelligence strengthening. Experts advocate for enhanced strategic digital monitoring, intelligence cooperation, and community engagement to combat jihadist messaging and radicalization. Public awareness campaigns, such as the #FridaysAtMyGov series, aim to educate citizens on cybersecurity threats and promote proactive measures to safeguard critical infrastructure. Cybersecurity is increasingly recognized as integral to national security, with government officials and experts calling for continued vigilance and comprehensive action.