On Tuesday, the Ministry of Consumer Affairs announced a collaboration with technology giant Meta to introduce a new consumer awareness initiative titled “Be an Empowered Consumer,” which aims to elevate digital literacy and safeguard online consumers.
The initiative was presented by Consumer Affairs Minister Pralhad Joshi alongside Meta’s Chief Global Affairs Officer Joel Kaplan, and it will operate within the framework of the government’s ongoing “Jago Grahak Jago” (Wake Up Consumer) campaign, according to an official statement.
“Understanding consumer rights is vital for ensuring a secure and sustainable digital environment,” Joshi remarked at the launch event. He emphasized that the partnership will enhance the ministry’s consumer protection initiatives, particularly in remote parts of the country.
This joint campaign aims to educate the public on recognizing online threats while promoting safer digital practices, such as adopting robust passwords, validating online information, and reporting any suspicious activities.
During the announcement, the minister also unveiled an AI-driven initiative developed in conjunction with IIT Bombay and backed by Meta.
This project utilizes Meta’s Llama 2 language model to create “GrahakNyay,” a consumer-oriented chatbot aimed at facilitating access to information regarding consumer rights and simplifying the process of filing complaints.
Consumer Affairs Secretary Nidhi Khare indicated that the chatbot will provide a user-friendly platform for filing complaints and resolving issues efficiently.
Joel Kaplan stated, “At Meta, we believe that AI can empower individuals to protect themselves and stay informed. By enhancing the accessibility of AI tools, we hope to bolster consumer awareness, streamline the complaint resolution process, and equip individuals with the information necessary to make informed online choices.”
This partnership is part of broader efforts by Indian consumer protection agencies to tackle new challenges in the digital marketplace, which include misleading advertisements, unfair trade practices, and the vulnerabilities faced by consumers in e-commerce transactions.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
