Instagram Is Developing A Tool To Protect Users From Cyber-Flashing. Finally!

After several cyber-flashing incidents, Instagram is now finally working on a feature to protect users from such cases.

An early image of the tool was shared by an app researcher on Twitter. Sharing the image, he wrote, "#Instagram is working on nudity protection for chats. Technology on your device covers photos that may contain nudity in chats. Instagram CAN'T access photos."

#Instagram is working on nudity protection for chats 👀

ℹ️ Technology on your device covers photos that may contain nudity in chats. Instagram CAN'T access photos. pic.twitter.com/iA4wO89DFd

— Alessandro Paluzzi (@alex193a) September 19, 2022

Instagram’s parent company, Meta confirmed to The Verge that the feature is in the early stages of development.

According to the report, Meta says that the feature will be optional for users. It will help people protect themselves from unsolicited nude photos and other unwanted messages as well.

Controls Like 'Hidden Words Feature'

Meta is equating the upcoming feature to the Hidden Words feature. The Hidden Words feature allows users to automatically filter message requests that contain offensive content.

The Verge reported that Meta spokesperson Liz Fernandez said the company is working closely with experts to make sure that the new feature protects people's privacy, while also allowing them control over messages that they'll receive.

More details about the new feature will be released in the next few weeks.

Cyber Flashing

Cyber flashing involves sending obscene (images or video recordings of genitals) to strangers on the internet, whereas in-real life flashing includes showing one's genitals or other private parts to an unsuspecting stranger.

In a 2017 YouGov survey, more than 40% of Millennial women reported receiving unsolicited graphic photos of a man's private parts, while 78% of American women have been messaged with uninvited graphic photos.

Debarati Halder, advocate and founder of the Centre for Cyber Victim Counselling, says that cases have risen over the years, The Times Of India reported.

Cyber-Flashing: What Are The Legal Options Available To Victims

According to Bar and Bench, although there are a number of laws that can be combined to address such situations, India does not have any laws that are exclusively for the act of cyber flashing. The laws include the Indian Penal Code, 1860 and the Information Technology Act, 2005. Section 509 of the IPC deals with words, gestures or acts intended to insult the modesty of a woman.

On the other hand, Section 354A(iii) states that a man who shows pornography against a woman's consent shall be guilty of the crime of sexual harassment and shall be punished accordingly.

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