*MoI official stresses importance of making children aware of the ill-effects of electronic devices

A slew of measures have been proposed to fight cyber crimes which are showing an upward trend in accordance with the rapid advancements in the information and technology sector, a senior official has said.

"The Economic and Cyber Crimes Combating Department (E&CCCD) has in place a strong electronic search and investigation system," director Col Ali Hassan Ali al-Kubaisi told Gulf Times in an interview.

The system has latest equipment and advanced technology and these help trace fake social media account holders who commit crimes.

"We have developed a systematic mechanism to combat the latest and evolving types of crimes," Col al-Kubaisi said.

The department believes strict law enforcement will help it bring down cyber crimes. “And special focus is given to tackle social media crimes,” he said.

Social media crimes that include threatening, cyber bullying, posts that hurt social values and personal or social sentiments and taking pictures and videos without permission will invite jail terms from six months to three years along with a fine of QR3,000 to QR50,000.

Taking note of the involvement of children in cyber crimes, the E&CCCD has decided to intensify awareness among students and parents. “Parents should be vigilant and they should know about the ill effects of the devices which they give to their children. They should keep an eye on their children's use of electronic devices,” he said adding that there are special plans to eliminate children's involvement in cyber crimes.

Qatar has established ties with Interpol and Europol in order to ensure systematic and effective prevention of cyber crimes. “Qatar is the first Mena country which have signed agreements with the two organisations in this regard. And we have high level institutes where officials are given training in preventing cyber crimes. Even officials from foreign countries rely upon these institutes to learn the latest ways to combat cyber crimes,” Col al-Kubaisi pointed out.

Qatar is also a member of the Mena region IT expert group that drafts the strategy to prevent cyber crimes. “Qatar is giving much focus on prevention and a systematic approach will help the country reduce the crime rate in the cyber domain,” Col al-Kubaisi added.

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