Most cyber cafés are not watchful on Internet users

by SHAIKH JAMALUDDIN
Posted on 2008-08-15
PANAJI- The Goa police and its intelligence wing are on their toes to keep the state safe and secure from any terrorist activity, either allowing them to seek shelter or engineering terror attacks.
In their mission to achieve cent per cent result, they have also strengthened the beat ystem, tightened up the naka bandis. The police are carrying out surprise checks, directing the house owners to comply with their instructions of tenant verification, holding meetings of hoteliers, urging telephone booth owners to be vigilant. They are also maintaining antecedents of servants and maidservants.
Despite all these measures and the claims of the police, its intelligence and security agencies, there still remain loopholes in the security ring and this was evident when we visited cyber cafes.
The Navhind Times team conducted a random survey as regards functioning of the cyber cafes in the state and to utter dismay it was discovered that nearly 75 per cent of these cyber café owners do not bother to ask for photo identity proof from cyber-users. Only 25 per cent insists on photo identity proof strictly.
The police had imposed strict rules on cyber cafés as it was uncovered that as per the experience of the intelligence and security agencies Internet/e-mail has become a major communication source of the terrorist network and therefore the non-maintenance of users register by cyber cafés had hampered and jeopardised the investigation for establishing and identifying the source of communication. The cyber cafes are not in the habit of maintaining proper register of the service users.
The cyber café owners have been asked to demand photo identity card (like driving licence, passport, election card, student identity card etc). They have been directed to note down users’ names, date, time and usage of period, otherwise it becomes very difficult to trace the cyber-users in case they commit any offence and abscond.
Besides, the cyber café owners have been advised not to allow any one to browse unless their identity is verified and established by them and in this respect they shall maintain user register in the proforma, annexure to this advisory and any suspicious movement/activities noticed from the user shall forthwith be brought to the notice of the police.
A cyber café on the outskirts of the city does not bother to ask the customers their photo identity proof while they insist on only name, address and mobile number, which can all be fake.
Bu in the city, some of the cyber café owners are very strict as far as photo identity is concerned, as one of them put it: “How can we allow you when you do not carry any identity proof with you, and what if police raid our cyber parlour. We do not allow anybody to enter here without photo identity, please get it first,’’ stated the owner of Cyber Net.
While, the keeper of login asked directly, “Where is your I-card?” Police frequent this place very often and I do not want to be an offender in their eyes.” the keeper said.