Context: To control crime in the National Capital, Delhi Police Commissioner has authorised district deputy commissioners of police (DCPs) to start using the NATGRID (National Intelligence Grid) tool to track down suspects and criminals.
Relevance of the Topic:Prelims: Key facts about National Intelligence Grid (NATGRID).
About National Intelligence Grid
- NATGRID is a database compiled by the Ministry of Home Affairs that contains over 24 sets of data to help agencies identify and monitor suspects.
- It was conceived in 2008 after the 26/11 attacks in Mumbai.
- The data sets include (Natgrid collects data from):
- Immigration records, passports
- Banking details, credit card information, PAN records
- Travel history
- Phone data
- Vehicle registration data
- National Population Register
- Company details etc.
Utility
- The data repository at NATGRID captures all the digital footprints of an individual or an entity.
- NATGRID offers real-time intelligence about individuals and other entities to law-enforcement authorities across the country.
- The data is used to counter illegal activities (E.g., suspicious financial transactions, drug rackets) by sharing information with several security agencies.
Data is utilised by
- NATGRID services are available to 11 central agencies and police departments of all states and union territories.
- The eleven agencies include the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW), Intelligence Bureau (IB), National Investigation Agency (NIA), Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB), Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU), Enforcement Directorate (ED), Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT), Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Directorate General of GST Intelligence.
Criticism
- NATGRID has faced opposition on account of possible violations of privacy and leakage of confidential personal data.
- However, as per the government:
- NATGRID infrastructure has adequate safeguards to prevent any unauthorised access.
- The data is end-to-end encrypted and can be accessed only after proper authorisation and authentication have been completed.
Note: The local police take the help of CCTNS (Crime and Criminal Tracking Network System) to probe cases.