Unsafe Online: How To Make Online Spaces Safer For Women, Legal Expert Weighs In

There's no denying that women's safety remains a critical concern. On August 9, 2024, Moumita Debnath, a trainee doctor at R.G. Kar Medical College in Kolkata, West Bengal, India, faced a tragic fate when she was raped and murdered in a college building. Her body was found in a seminar room on campus, sparking widespread outrage and igniting debates about the safety of women and medical professionals in India. This horrifying incident has led to both national and international protests, with demands for a thorough investigation.

This recent gruesome case in Kolkata underscores the unsettling reality that women are not even safe in their workplaces. But it raises a broader question: are women truly safe anywhere? Even in the digital space, safety is an issue. According to the NCRB's 2021 report, out of 2,597 recorded cases of crimes against women, 1,896 involved the distribution or transmission of sexual content, while 701 were related to other offences targeting women, such as fake avatars, blackmail, and image morphing.

As technology and AI continue to advance, crimes against women are on the rise, with apps like Deepfake exacerbating the issue. To shed light on this, we consulted legal expert Niharika Karanjawala-Misra, Principal Associate at Karanjawala & Co., who provided insights on what actions women should take immediately after encountering cybercrime to ensure their safety and preserve crucial evidence.

How Unsafe Are Women Online?

From "reply guys" who presume an unwelcome sense of familiarity with women online, to receiving unsolicited photos on social media, to enduring distressing threats of rape and murder, simply existing as a woman on the internet can feel like navigating a minefield. Among the various cybercrimes committed against individuals and society, those specifically targeting women include the following:

• Cyberstalking
• Harassment through emails
• Online bullying
• Image morphing
• Email impersonation
• Cyber defamation
• Trolling and gender-based harassment

Women, girls, and gender-non-conforming individuals are disproportionately targeted online and often face more severe and long-lasting consequences due to their gender. Research from the Institute of Development Studies indicates that 16 to 58 percent of women and girls have experienced online violence.

For instance, the Deccan Herald reported that in April 2024, a woman lawyer in Bengaluru was victimised by cybercriminals. Over the course of a two-day "video arrest," she not only lost Rs 14.57 lakh but was also coerced into posing nude on camera.

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Another case in July 2022 involved Rizwan Ansari, a 30-year-old man from Delhi, who was arrested for cyberstalking and threatening a woman on Facebook, using abusive language and threatening to kill her if she didn't communicate with him and reciprocate his feelings, as per India Today. Additionally, in May 2024, the Goa cybercrime police arrested a Bengaluru man for cyberbullying and extortion after posting a fraudulent job advertisement online, as per Hindustan Times.

These cases represent only a fraction of the numerous incidents reported by women daily. Even female celebrities are not immune; in India, deepfakes have targeted prominent Bollywood actresses like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Alia Bhatt, and Rashmika Mandanna. For those unfamiliar, deepfakes are images, videos, or audio created or manipulated using AI tools, often depicting real or fictional individuals.

Key Legal Challenges Women Face in Online Spaces

We spoke with Niharika Karanjawala-Misra, who highlighted that one of the main issues with the internet is the anonymity it provides, which encourages individuals to engage in behaviours they might avoid in face-to-face interactions. There are numerous cybercrimes that people can encounter online, from harassment and online scams to identity theft. She said, “It’s important for everyone to be cautious about the information they share online, particularly when using websites with questionable security or interacting with others on the internet. Individuals should be especially wary of sharing personal details, such as financial information, location, or photographs, with strangers online, as this information could be exploited.”

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She emphasised the need for awareness campaigns, especially targeted at schools, to educate children and young adults who may have access to the internet but lack the knowledge to protect themselves effectively.

Niharika also told us that certain provisions in the IT Act, 2000, including sections on sending offencive messages (S. 66A), identity theft (S. 66C), and the transmission and publication of obscene material (S. 67), have been specifically enacted to protect individuals from online harassment.

How To File A Cyber Crime Complaint Online?

Niharika advises that after experiencing online harassment, individuals should promptly take screenshots of the offending content (to prevent loss if deleted) and file a complaint with the cyber cell. An online portal and a toll-free helpline are also available to assist in reporting such incidents. Additionally, the Ministry of Women and Child Welfare has released extensive educational resources on these crimes to raise awareness and help people protect themselves online.

How To File A Cyber Crime Complaint Through National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal?

• Visit the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal at https://www.cybercrime.gov.in/. On the homepage, scroll down to choose the category that best fits your situation: ‘Women/children related crime,’ ‘Financial fraud,’ or ‘Other cyber crime.’
• If you’re reporting a crime related to women or children, you’ll need to decide whether to proceed anonymously or not. Based on your choice, you’ll be directed to a form that outlines the necessary information and documents. Another section will guide you through obtaining a Login ID and verifying your phone number using an OTP.
• Ensure you have a digital copy of your national ID ready to upload, with a file size of less than 5 MB. After submitting your information, you’ll be taken to the complaint submission page, where you must complete the required fields.
• When describing the incident, be clear, detailed, and provide as much information as possible within the word limit. Accuracy is key, as the more information you provide, the easier it is for authorities to act swiftly.
• If you choose the ‘Report and Track’ or ‘Report Other Cybercrime’ option, you’ll receive a confirmation message through your provided contact details and an acknowledegment number that you can use to track the status of your complaint. To check on your complaint’s progress, visit the same portal and select the ‘Track your Complaint’ tab from the menu.

It’s time for women to take a stand and push back, even in the digital world. With the rise of cybercrimes targeting women, such as harassment, stalking, and exploitation, women must assert their right to safety online just as strongly as they do in the physical world. Women can reclaim their space on the internet by educating themselves about their rights, learning how to secure their personal information, and reporting incidents through the proper channels. Empowerment comes from awareness and action, and now is the time for women to unite, be vigilant, and fight back against these threats.

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