New Delhi: In a significant step towards enhancing digital literacy and safety, India’s Ministry of Consumer Affairs has joined forces with Meta to launch a comprehensive digital consumer protection campaign. This initiative aims to empower online consumers across the country by fostering awareness about online threats and promoting better digital safety habits. Leveraging AI technology, the campaign seeks to streamline consumer complaint resolution processes, ensuring a more secure digital experience for all.
The “Be an Empowered Consumer” campaign, unveiled by Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi and Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, operates under the existing “Jago Grahak Jago” framework. This collaboration extends consumer protection efforts to remote areas, addressing emerging challenges in the digital marketplace such as misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices.
At the heart of this initiative is the use of Meta’s Llama 2 language model to develop “GrahakNyay,” a consumer-focused chatbot designed to improve access to information about consumer rights and simplify the complaint filing process. This AI-driven project, developed in partnership with IIT Bombay, underscores the commitment to harnessing technology for enhanced consumer protection.
The campaign’s focus on educating Indians about recognizing online threats and promoting digital safety habits aligns with the government’s broader efforts to ensure a secure digital ecosystem. By combining Meta’s technological expertise with the government’s commitment to consumer safety, this partnership aims to equip consumers with the knowledge needed to make informed choices online.
