Delhi High Court Turns Red for Blackmails on Social Media!

Today, the line between influencers’ and general common people’s private and public lives is thinner than ever. While social media platforms connect us, they also open doors for new kinds of crimes, especially against women. The Delhi High Court recently passed a judgment sending a powerful message: “A woman’s consent for sexual relations does not extend to capturing private moments or posting them online.”

Let’s break this down in a way that’s easy to understand but leaves a lasting impact.

The Case

Recently, a case appeared at the Delhi High Court highlighting how technology and social media can be misused to exploit women. A married woman accused a man of blackmailing her into fulfilling his sexual demands. Initially, the accused lent her money for a course she couldn’t afford. When she promised to repay him after securing a job, things took a dark turn.

According to the woman, the man was someone she met online. He coerced her into undressing during WhatsApp and Instagram video calls and later threatened to release a naked video of her. The accused even forcibly established physical relations with her under the pretext of exposing these private videos. He not only humiliated her by sending the videos to people in her native village but also uploaded them on his social media platforms, tagged her and added #linkinbio to the full video!

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma, who presided over the case, made a critical observation:

“Even if consent for sexual relations was given at some point, it cannot, in any manner, be construed as consent to capture or post inappropriate videos on social media.”

The court refused to grant bail to the accused, stressing that his actions were rooted in coercion and blackmail.

Consent is not a Blank Cheque!

Consent is specific. Agreeing to one act does not mean agreeing to another. For instance, consenting to a relationship does not mean consenting to have private moments recorded, shared, or used as a tool for blackmail.

The High Court made it clear that using a woman’s marital status or professional background to downplay the gravity of such allegations is unacceptable. If this is the case with a man being exploited by a man or a woman, I believe the same laws must be applicable, or won’t they?

Social Media: Blessing and a Weapon!

Social media has empowered women and provided employment and financial independence opportunities, even reaching the uneducated and many other individuals in towns, villages and remote tribal areas. It has also created new forms of violence. Crimes like cyberstalking, morphing, cyber pornography, and online blackmail are on the rise. Social media was designed to connect people and now has become a playground for numerous criminals to harass, intimidate and exploit!

Many of these crimes are simplified by easily accessible software and AI. For instance, creating doctored images or offensive memes is now as simple as downloading an app. This ease of access has made social media platforms breeding grounds for crimes that target the vulnerable.

Common Cybercrimes

Most common online crimes nowadays!

1. Cyberstalking

Cyberstalking involves secretly monitoring someone’s online or offline activities without their consent. It’s a form of invasion of privacy aimed at terrorizing or intimidating the victim. Often, perpetrators try to establish contact or build a relationship with the victim without their knowledge or approval.

2. Cyber Pornography

This involves creating, sharing, or distributing explicit content online. While earlier laws under Section 292 of the IPC addressed obscenity, today, the IT Act also prohibits the sharing of sexually explicit materials. Penalties for such crimes can include imprisonment for up to seven years and fines exceeding ₹10 lakh.

3. Morphing

Morphing is when someone alters or manipulates a person’s photos without their permission, often to create obscene or defamatory images. These doctored images are then shared online, damaging the victim’s reputation. Sections of the IT Act and IPC make such acts punishable.

4. Sending Obscene or Defamatory Messages

Sharing private photos or personal details of women on pornographic websites or social media platforms is a serious invasion of privacy. This can also include sending offensive messages via WhatsApp, email, or other platforms.

5. Online Trolling, Blackmail, and Threats

Online harassment has become alarmingly common. Trolling, bullying, and intimidation are often used to silence women who express their opinions online. Threats of violence, including rape, are used to scare women into submission.

Why Are These Crimes Rising?

Despite laws like the IPC and the IT Act, cyber crimes are increasing. But, why?

1. Ease of Anonymity: Social media allows criminals to hide their identities.
2. Lack of Awareness: Many are unaware of their rights or hesitant to report crimes due to fear of judgment or backlash.
3. Weak Implementation: While laws exist, their enforcement often falls short; I know how cases are dealt with off the record.

Our role as a society and law enforcement!

We need to create a safe environment where women can at least report abuse without fear; stopping those is out of context. Law enforcement agencies must ensure that complaints are taken seriously and that victims are supported.

Moreover, the government must strengthen its cybercrime prevention programs. This includes not only stricter laws but also better education about online safety.

What Can You Do?

1. Know your rights and the laws that protect you.
2. Don’t hesitate to report any form of online harassment.
3. Be cautious about sharing personal information or photos online. Don’t be Dumb, please!

Final Action

Let’s earn green flags not just in relationships but also as human beings. Men, Women, trans people, or whoever we are, we must ensure that everyone feels safe both online and offline. How hard is it to create a world where privacy is respected and online crimes are punished and prevented?

The internet is a powerful tool & we must ensure it doesn’t become a weapon!