The Sahyog Portal integrates authorized agencies and intermediaries on a single platform, eliminating procedural delays and redundancies.
MUMBAI: In today’s interconnected world, cybercrime has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges. With the rapid proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI), deepfake technologies, and sophisticated ransomware attacks, law enforcement agencies (LEAs) are struggling to keep pace with evolving threats. Financial frauds, misinformation campaigns, child exploitation, and terrorism-related content have surged dramatically, posing grave risks to public safety and national security. According to recent data, India witnessed over 19.18 lakh cybercrime complaints reported on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (NCRP) in 2024.
The biggest hurdle faced by LEAs is the lack of cooperation from IT intermediaries, many of which are based outside India. Platforms often cite privacy concerns, freedom of speech and expression, or procedural complexities to delay compliance with takedown requests. Moreover, fragmented processes and jurisdictional challenges further complicate investigations. For instance, obtaining data from intermediaries sometimes takes weeks or months. This delay is critical in cases involving real-time threats like misinformation during communal riots or terrorism-related content that can incite violence or spreading of obscene material or CSAM material that can cause irreparable damage.
THE SOLUTION: SAHYOG PORTAL
Recognising these challenges, Government of India introduced the Sahyog Portal, a centralised platform developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs under the Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). This portal aims to streamline coordination between LEAs and IT intermediaries for swift action against unlawful online content. It automates the process of sending takedown notices under Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act, 2000, ensuring faster removal or disabling of access to harmful material.
The Sahyog Portal integrates authorized agencies and intermediaries on a single platform, eliminating procedural delays and redundancies. For example, during communal unrest, LEAs can directly flag provocative posts on platforms like WhatsApp or Facebook through Sahyog, enabling their removal before they escalate into violence. Additionally, it provides a national dashboard where stakeholders can monitor the status of takedown requests—whether processed, pending, or closed—ensuring transparency and accountability.
The question which internet is flooded with: Was there a genuine need or government is trying abuse its power by introducing Sahyog Portal? The answer to these question lies in the question, what exactly Sahyog Portal is for.
- Enhancing Efficiency in Addressing Unlawful Content:
The Sahyog Portal has significantly improved operational efficiency by automating takedown requests. LEAs no longer need to navigate multiple systems for different platforms. This streamlined approach ensures timely action against harmful content such as child exploitation material or terrorism-related posts among others.
- Standardized Mechanism for Issuing and Tracking Requests:
One of Sahyog’s key features is its standardized format for takedown notices. Previously, intermediaries received unclear or redundant requests from multiple agencies, leading to inefficiencies. Now, all notices can be/are issued uniformly through Sahyog Portal, reducing confusion and enabling platforms like Meta or Google or Telegram to act promptly. The portal’s dashboard also tracks real-time updates on request statuses—processed, pending, or escalated—ensuring accountability across all stakeholders.
- Supporting Public Safety and National Security:
By facilitating swift removal of unlawful content such as CSAM, morphed content, misinformation, and content that incite violence or disturb law and order, Sahyog plays a vital role in safeguarding public safety and national security.
This transparency counters propaganda accusing LEAs or government of misusing power or invading privacy rights. By operating within strict legal frameworks (e.g., Section 79(3)(b) of the IT Act), systems like Sahyog demonstrate that actions are targeted solely at unlawful content while protecting citizens› rights.
CONCLUSION
Cybercrime remains one of the most complex challenges in today’s digital landscape due to its evolving nature and global reach. The Sahyog Portal addresses these issues by providing a centralized platform that enhances efficiency, standardizes processes, and supports public safety efforts. By bridging the gap between
* Khushbu Jain is a practicing advocate in the Supreme Court and founding partner of the law firm, Ark Legal.