While social media platforms and encrypted messaging services have become integral to communication, enabling users to connect across the globe, the Verizon Data Breach Investigations Report (DBIR) highlighted that more than 30% of data breaches involved social media and online services in 2020.

Security challenges posed by Social media and encrypting messaging services:

1. Cybercrime and Financial Fraud: Encrypted services allow cybercriminals to carry out phishing, financial fraud, and money laundering without detection. Eg- 2020 Twitter hack, where prominent accounts were compromised to promote a Bitcoin scam
2. Misinformation and Disinformation: A study published in the journal Health Affairs found that 30% of tweets containing misinformation about COVID-19 were retweeted, amplifying false narratives.
3. Radicalization and Extremism: Global Terrorism Index (2020) highlighted that 30% of all extremist recruitment happens via social media platforms.
4. Organized Crime Networks: Criminal groups use encrypted messaging to coordinate activities such as drug trafficking, human trafficking, and weapons smuggling. Eg- use of Signal and WhatsApp to coordinate drug trafficking operations
5. Cross-border Jurisdiction Issues: Social media platforms operate globally, but law enforcement is limited by jurisdictional boundaries, making it hard to tackle crimes that involve actors in multiple countries.
6. Privacy vs. Security Conflict: End-to-end encryption ensures user privacy, but it also hampers authorities’ ability to monitor and prevent criminal activities.

Measures adopted at various levels:

1. Global Initiatives

1. OECD guidelines on internet policy-making emphasizing freedom of expression, protection of privacy, and security while holding platforms accountable for illegal content.
2. EU Digital Services Act: Imposes stricter regulations on platforms to curb illegal content, misinformation, and increase accountability.
3. National-Level Efforts
4. India’s Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021:

• Requires platforms to trace the origin of unlawful content.
• Mandates prompt removal of objectionable content.
• Appoints grievance officers for user complaints.

2. The Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023: Focuses on user data protection and holding platforms accountable for data breaches.
3. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C): Coordinates law enforcement responses to cybercrimes and social media threats.
4. Platform-Specific Measures

1. Content Moderation Algorithms: Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram use AI to detect and remove harmful content, including terrorism, hate speech, and misinformation.
2. Regulation of Encrypted Messaging: Governments globally are pressuring companies like WhatsApp to provide backdoor access to encrypted communications in cases involving terrorism, child exploitation, or criminal activities.

Other remedies that can be adopted:

1. Strengthening Cyber Forensics: Investment in AI-based monitoring systems to trace patterns of suspicious behavior.
2. Global Cybersecurity Cooperation on data-sharing and cyber threat intelligence. Eg. Five Eyes Alliance
3. Improved Cybersecurity Frameworks to include early detection mechanisms for cyber threats. Eg- Cyber Swachhta Kendra
4. Technological Innovation: Develop privacy-preserving tools that ensure encryption while enabling limited lawful access through protocols like “homomorphic encryption”.
5. Mandatory Identity Verification to prevent the anonymous spread of misinformation, fake news and online harassment, while safeguarding individual privacy.
6. Independent Oversight Bodies: Eg- The UK’s Ofcom is mandated under Online Safety Bill to ensure that online platforms meet safety standards and protect users from harmful content. 

A well-defined National Social Media Policy, alongside the SOCMINT model can help in fostering a safer online environment, promoting user trust, and enhancing the capacity to combat threats thereby significantly contributing to national security and societal well-being.