With threats ranging from the misuse of deepfakes to harassment on gaming platforms, there is an urgent need to protect women’s rights online.
Protecting Women’s Rights in the Digital Age Author: Dr. Rennie Joyy, Founder, Aalekh Foundation In the digital age, the internet has become an essential tool for communication, education, and empowerment. However, for many women, the internet has also become a dangerous space where cyber harassment and online abuse are rampant. In India, the proliferation of digital platforms has led to an alarming rise in online gender-based violence, and recent trends reveal more insidious forms of harassment that require urgent attention. Though the Indian legal system has made some progress in addressing cyber harassment, there is still a long way to go.
The Information Technology Act, 2000, alongside the Indian Penal Code (IPC), provide a legal basis for prosecuting cybercrimes, including harassment. But enforcement of these laws is often inconsistent and existing provisions do not adequately address the nuances of new forms of cyber harassment, such as deepfakes and abuse on gaming platforms. Moreover, the process for reporting and prosecuting these crimes remains cumbersome.
Victims often face significant obstacles, including a lack of awareness of their rights, social stigma, and non-responsive law enforcement. The borderless nature of the internet further complicates things, as perpetrators can easily avoid legal liability by operating from different jurisdictions.
The expanding tentacles of cyber harassment: Cyber harassment in India is taking on new dimensions, with perpetrators targeting women using increasingly sophisticated methods. Traditional forms of online abuse such as stalking, trolling and leaking personal information remain prevalent. But the emergence of new technologies has also given rise to more dangerous threats, such as the use of deepfake technology.
Deepfakes are hyper-realistic, digitally manipulated videos or images that can make a person appear to say or do something that they do not actually say or do. More recently, the technology has been used as a weapon against women, with perpetrators creating and sharing deepfake pornography without the victim’s consent. This form of cyber harassment is particularly devastating, not only violating the victim’s privacy but also damaging their reputation, leading to severe emotional and psychological trauma. In 2020, India saw a surge in deepfake-related crimes, with several women being targeted by fake explicit videos that were spread on social media. The situation is further complicated by the difficulty in proving the falsity of these videos, leaving victims with limited recourse to pursue legal recourse. Sections 66E and 67A of the Information Technology Act, 2000, provide for the transmission of obscene material and violation of privacy, but the law has yet to keep up with the rapid advances in deepfake technology, and enforcement remains a major challenge.
Harassment on online gaming platforms: Another worrying trend is the rise of cyber harassment on online gaming platforms. While these platforms are often perceived as places of entertainment and community, they are quickly becoming breeding grounds for harmful behavior and online abuse. Often, female gamers face sexual harassment, including rape threats and verbal abuse, from anonymous players. India, while the gaming community is growing rapidly, lacks specific legislation to address online harassment within these platforms. This regulatory gap leaves many women at risk of abuse with little recourse to protection or seek justice.
While the Indian National Commission for Women (NCW) has acknowledged the issue, more comprehensive policies and industry standards are needed to address this emerging threat. The Role of Technology Companies and Gaming Platforms Technology companies, including social media platforms and gaming companies, have a major responsibility in protecting users from online harassment. While major social media platforms have implemented policies against harassment, enforcement is often inconsistent, allowing harmful content to thrive. The Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, introduced by the Government of India, aims to hold these platforms further accountable by urging them to remove unlawful content and protect user privacy. However, the effectiveness of these guidelines remains in question as the sheer volume of content and the evolving nature of cyber threats pose major challenges. Online gaming platforms in particular need to adopt stricter community guidelines and reporting mechanisms to prevent harassment and abuse. Developers and platform operators need to prioritize user safety and implement robust systems to effectively detect and respond to incidents of online harassment.
Empowering women digitally Enabling women to protect themselves online is crucial in the fight against cyber harassment. Digital literacy programs that teach women how to protect their privacy, recognise and report abuse, and navigate online spaces safely are essential.
Initiatives such as Cyber Saathi and She:ThePeople have made great strides in this area, providing resources and education to women across India. Support networks and helplines also play an important role. The National Commission for Women (NCW) has launched several initiatives, such as a 24/7 helpline, to support women who face online abuse. However, ensuring all women, including those in rural and remote areas, have access to these resources remains a challenge.
International cooperation and community engagement: Addressing cyber harassment requires international cooperation as online abuse often crosses borders. India’s participation in the international dialogue on cybercrime is important, but stronger collaboration with other countries and international organizations is needed to effectively combat cross-border cyber harassment.
Community-based efforts are also important. Movements such as #MeToo and #GirlsAtDhabas have demonstrated the power of collective action to raise awareness and advocate for change. Local efforts such as workshops, community discussions, and advocacy campaigns can help create safer digital spaces for women.
Looking forward: The digital age offers immense opportunities for women, but it also carries great risks. Protecting women’s rights online requires a concerted effort from all stakeholders: governments, tech companies, civil society and individuals.
Addressing the growing threat of cyber harassment, including deepfakes and online abuse on gaming platforms, can help create a safer, more inclusive digital environment where women can fully participate in all aspects of society. Striking a balance between protecting women’s rights and upholding freedom of speech will be a key challenge in the coming years. But by adopting a comprehensive approach that includes legal reform, technology accountability, education and community support, we can make great strides in protecting women’s rights in the digital age.
(The author is the founder of Aalekh Foundation and opinions are personal)
