With advancements happening in the technological domain at the rate of knots, the cyberspace has become the center of global and technological developments. However, like all things good which are available in a measure beyond abundance, cyberspace has also become a double-edged sword. Among the masses, cybercrime poses a greater threat to women and it is observed that every second, one woman falls prey to a cybercriminal’s chicanery. Needless to say that a woman’s privacy and dignity is being targeted by emails and through various social media platforms.
According to the last National Crime Registration Bureau report, during 2017 56% of the cases were registered with the motive of fraud, sexual exploitation and to cause disrepute. Sadly, a majority of these cases were reported by women against offenders.
Some of the crimes that women see happening against them are
- Cyberstalking – When an individual, a group of individuals or an organization indulges in harassment by using information and communication technology, against one or more individuals then it’s called Cyberstalking.
- Cyber Pornography – This includes pornographic websites, magazines and other forms of pornographic content which is generated and circulated digitally. It is considered as an exceptional case, which has been covered by the IT act 2000 and to a certain extent by section 67 of the IT Act of 2000. The offender is punishable for up to 5 years along with a fine.
- Cyber Bullying – A punishable offense under the section 506 of the IPC, Cyber Bullying is considered committing the act of intimidation, threat or harassment using electronic or digital medium.
- Cyber Sexual Defamation – A common crime committed against women, across the internet. This act takes place when defamation takes place with the help of computers and the internet in the digital world. The act is punishable under the U/S/499 IPC, with imprisonment or fines.
- Harassment – Along with harassment this includes, blackmailing, threatening, bullying, and cheating online. A punishment of 5 years imprisonment can be imposed.
- Trolling – Trolls are abusers who create fake ID’s on social media, create a cold war-like atmosphere in the cyberspace while being hard to trace. These trolls spread conflict on the internet, start quarreling or upsetting the victim by posting inflammatory or off-topic messages in an online community.
Where to lodge a complaint
An aggrieved victim can lodge a complaint with the Cyber Crime Investigation Cell, which is a branch of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). This department deals with any offenses that take place on the internet with the use of a technological device, like a computer or a mobile phone. It has the prowess of dealing with high tech crimes; it now has the provision of filling an e-FIR.
Key points on how to protect oneself
- Never share your passwords of any sorts with anyone
- Never disclose personal information
- Strictly avoid meeting someone you have met online when you are alone.
- Web cameras should be used with care.
- The terms of agreement should be read carefully.
- Avoid free downloading sites, since they might contain Trojans.
In the year 2014, National Commission for Women had submitted a detailed report, titled “Ways and means to safeguard women from cybercrime in India”, which recommended stringent laws to discourage and combat cybercrime activities against women, by proposing dedicated helpline numbers, establishing more cyber cells, having a proper legal aide, setting up forensic labs and technical training law enforcement agencies like the police and judiciary.
The information technology act of 2000 in tandem with the Indian Penal code is competent enough to deal with prevailing cybercrimes, giving out punishment to the offender in the form of imprisonment, ranging from two years to life imprisonment and various fines, depending upon the severity of their crime. However, the government has taken various legal, technical and administrative measures to curb incidents of Cybercrime against women.
These measures include
- For reporting and investigating cases of cybercrimes, Cyber Police Stations and Cybercrime cells have been set up in each state, across the country.
- In order to train state police authorities in cybercrime detection & collection, preservation & confiscation of electronic evidence, while dealing with cybercrime, The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has set up Cyber Forensics Training Labs in north-eastern states and metro cities such as Mumbai, Pune, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
- To equip law and enforcement personnel with knowledge and skill for prevention and control of cybercrime, various steps have been taken by the Ministry of Home Affairs, The State Government and Meity.
- As of 6th June 2016, The Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology had issued an advisory on the functioning of Matrimonial sites under the Information Technology act of 2000. The advisory rules ensure matrimonial websites observe safeguarding measures so that people using the website don’t fall prey to fake profiles or have their information being misused.
- With a view to prevent, detect and mitigate a cyber-attack, the government has circulated computer security policies and guidelines to all the ministries and departments.
- A dedicated website cybercrime.gov.in has been developed by the Ministry of Home Affairs so the citizens of the country can report incidents of cybercrime at the earliest.
At MicroWorld, we stand by the initiatives taken by the government to curb cybercrime and that, especially against women and children. On the International Day for the elimination of violence against women, we pledge our undying support towards the eradication of cybercrimes against women.
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