Digital Shadow: Social Media’s Role in the Propagation and Prevention of Revenge Porn in India

This paper explores the intricately intertwined relationship these social media sites hold with the disturbing reality of revenge porn that hassles a country fast digitalizing its society-Country: India. In keeping with this understanding, we now examine the existing corpus juris by entering into an analysis of the Information Technology Act, 2000, along with amendments, specifically to Section 67A so as to criminalize obscene electronic publication. To this end, we scrutinize whether such provisions are adequate in dealing with challenges unique to non-consensual image sharing, firstly in light of the path-breaking judgment by the Supreme Court of Puttaswamy v. Union of India (2017), where the right to privacy is recognized as a fundamental right. In addition, we look into how the social media sites amplify the problem and then reduce it. Such ease of access, rampant usage, & viral nature of the sites make it easy for intimate images to be shared without one’s consent, thereby inflicting irreparable damage upon victims. We take note of the policies and practices pursued by the major social media companies operating in India, subjecting them to a critical analysis of the effectiveness with which they respond to reports of revenge porn & delete the content. The article also discusses the social media as an empowered tool for victims in India. Here, we discuss online communities and advocacy groups that are on social media to raise awareness and try to offer legal aid and other things to survivors. Ultimately, the paper calls for an integrated approach wherein the strengthened legal framework is supplemented with enhanced platform accountability and robust victim support mechanisms toward effectively tackling the issue of revenge porn and more meaningfully protecting the digital rights of individuals in India.