Once in a while, news pops up about certain celebrities being hacked and their most intimate pictures leaked. If you think it’s a one of a kind thing that only happens with famous people, think again. The ongoing video row unravelling in Chandigarh now is just one of the many examples to support this argument. Objectionable videos of several girl students of Chandigarh University in Mohali, Punjab are believed to have been leaked by a hosteller. A woman student has been arrested in connection with the case from Punjab, while her alleged boyfriend has been nabbed by the police from Himachal Pradesh. Another accused is also in police custody.
After widespread demonstrations by students of the university, three of their demands will be heeded to. One, a 10-member committee composed of students of the university will be kept updated about the case proceedings; two, the hostel warden where the incident took place will be suspended, and, third, a thorough search of the girls’ hostel will be undertaken.
It is no secret that technology has become a vital part of our work life and as we get more comfortable with it, we allow it to overrun our personal lives too. A nude or smutty picture of a regular person can land up on your favourite social networking website or on thousands of lascivious websites, without consent. This not only is illegal and punishable by law but also causes tremendous mental and emotional trauma to the victim. It is our responsibility that the safeguard of interests lies with one’s own self, but in some cases, it means that the victim has been the unfortunate target of ever-increasing cyber-crimes.
So what should you do if you find yourself in such a situation? In conversation with TC46, Lawyer Rupali Sharma, who loves to educate the masses through Instagram, talks about cyberbullying, sexual extortion, Indian laws that help you seek justice and the procedure to report the crime.
The Dangers Of The Digital World
We are all living in a completely digital world. Increased use of the internet is giving rise to cybercrime such as cyberbullying, ransom attacks, illegal pornography, sextortion. Today, sextortion and blackmailing comes in the list of ‘top cyber-crime on the Internet’.
Blackmailing is a violation of your rights and someone who engages in this type of behaviour is manipulative, dishonest, and dangerous. Someone who is blackmailing you is committing A CRIMINAL ACT.
It is against the law to share an intimate image of someone without their consent or to threaten to share an intimate image of someone. This includes sharing:
- Physically (such as showing people images contained on your camera, phone, tablet or computer)
- Electronically (online, email, social media, text message)
Know Your Rights
Provisions Related To Blackmailing Under The Indian Penal Code, 1860
If someone is threatening to share intimate pictures of you then it’s a form of criminal intimidation, which is defined under Section 503 of the Indian Penal Code. Criminal intimidation can result in a sentence of either type of jail, which can last up to two years or a fine, or a combination of the two.
If they’re demanding money in exchange for not making pictures public then this is Extortion under Section 384. Extortion is punishable by imprisonment of any kind, up to three years, a fine, or both. The penalty is three years under this provision, and the offence is non-bailable and triable in any Magistrate.
Any individual who publishes or threatens to disclose any intimate and compromising images of someone through any electronic means, including apps and other social media, is indicted under Section 292 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
A voyeurism case under Section 354C of the IPC can also be made with the help of other relevant sections from the Information Technology Act if a photo of a lady is taken obscenely and distributed without her knowledge.
IT Act, 2000
- Information Technology Act, 2000 also covers certain sexual offences dealing with cybercrime.
- Section 66E of the IT Act, 2000 – Violation of Privacy—prohibits capturing or disseminating photos of a person without their agreement.
- Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000 – Transmitting obscene electronic material, sharing images or videos to defame someone is punishable.
- Section 67B of the IT Act, 2000 – Child pornography applies if the victim is a minor, below 18 years of age.
The Need For Proof Keeping
- One thing to always keep in mind is to keep a record of their communication.
- Write down as much information as you can about the threat or multiple threats.
- If they have threatened you over text, make sure to take screenshots as evidence.
- Do not delete the messages/call recordings.
- These messages and recordings are important sources of evidence. By deleting these messages, you are destroying evidence.
- In any case, do not give in to the blackmailer’s demand. Always remember, It’s not your fault.
Be bold! The law will back you up.
Procedure For Filing A Report
If someone shares an intimate picture of you online without your consent, you can report it to the online service it was posted on. For example, you can use the “report” button on Facebook photos and videos.
Take Legal Action
Threatening someone is a form of harassment, which is a crime. You can report it to the nearest cyber cell, and they will guide you through the process.
According to the IT Act, a cybercrime comes under the purview of global jurisdiction. This means that a cybercrime complaint can be registered with any of the cyber cells in India, irrespective of the place where it was originally committed.
Support Is Vital & Available
Following are the places you can file a cybercrime complaint in India through an online portal:
1. National Commission For Women
The is a non-profit organisation that assists victims of internet abuse in dealing with law enforcement.
2. Reporting On Social Media Websites
Reporting on social media websites is an option if the above options are difficult to do for whatever reason. Most of these websites have the option of reporting the crime since they are required by the IT regulations of 2011 to take action within 36 hours of receiving the information to prevent the spread of objectionable materials.
3. Cybercrime.gov.in
Victims of cyber-blackmail can also anonymously report the offence at www.cybercrime.gov.in. The Ministry Of Home Affairs has put up this dedicated website for reporting cybercrime. The victim must create an account by providing their mobile number and name to file a complaint on this website. The victim can also track his or her case on the internet.
4. Government Helpline
You can also call on – 155260, a helpline number launched by the Indian Government.