The Darkside of Teleg***: Impact on gender related violence in India
Trigger Warning:
This blog post discusses harassment, and violence, which may be distressing or triggering for some readers. If you feel that this content could affect you negatively, please proceed with caution or consider skipping this post.
On a good Monday morning where people are going to work, a woman is walking on the street to catch the bus to work and the phone of the guy Mr.XYZ walking next to her captures it. One may think what serious offence did the guy commit.
Well the story starts after this only....
He shoots pictures of women walking to work, eating in a restaurant, dancing in a pub or generally anything that normal humans do in a public place all the while without them noticing.
Then one day when he has the time he goes to his Teleg*** app and posts these images in groups which are typically named 'Candids'
In photography, candid refers to photos taken of people in unposed, natural settings, often without their awareness. Candid photos capture spontaneous moments and genuine expressions. Well this definition sounds good and all but what happens in those groups are anything but innocent.
Mr.XYZ's pictures of women which were posted are then commented on by thousands of people who are members in these groups . The comments range from different body parts and their own evil perverted desires on what to do with these women and so on. Many of them, who are so-called experts in this, start selling their content, which other men eagerly pay for and buy. This leads to significant profitability as a passive income.
As a result, even men who are generally not involved in these derogatory acts get pulled into it due to the promise of easy money. Like in markets, where there is demand, providing supply results in profitability.
This creates a vicious cycle where more and more people get involved, and more and more women are victimized. This is serious because one depraved man is capable of victimizing thousands of women.
Lets have a look into various laws that are put in place to protect women against such acts of depravity:
The Supreme Court of India, in the Puttaswamy judgment (2017), recognized the Right to Privacy as a fundamental right under Article 21 of the Constitution. Taking and sharing photos of women without their consent, especially in a derogatory manner, is a violation of their privacy.
Section 67 of the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 – Obscene Content:
This act criminalizes publication or transmission of obscene content in electronic form.
If the candid photographs of women are posted with obscene, sexualized, or offensive comments, it is considered a violation of Section 67. The punishment is imprisonment for up to 3 years and a fine of up to ₹5 lakh for the first conviction, and imprisonment for up to 5 years and a fine of up to ₹10 lakh for subsequent convictions.
Section 66E of the IT Act – Violation of Privacy:
This Act criminalizes the capturing, publishing, or transmitting of images of a person's private parts without their consent in a manner that violates their privacy.
The Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986 - This act prohibits the indecent representation of women in any form.
Under Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
Section 354(6) – Voyeurism. Any man who watches, or captures the image of a woman engaging in a private act, in circumstances where she would usually have the expectation of not being observed either by the perpetrator or by any other person at the behest of the perpetrator, or disseminates such image, shall be punished on first conviction with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than one year, but which may extend to three years, and shall also be liable to fine, and be punished on a second or subsequent conviction, with imprisonment of either description for a term which shall not be less than three years, but which may extend to seven years, and shall also be liable to fine.
Section 377 – Insult to Modesty of a Woman. Whoever, intending to insult the modesty of any woman, utters any word, makes any sound or gesture, or exhibits any object, intending that such word or sound shall be heard, or that such gesture or object shall be seen by such woman, or intrudes upon the privacy of such woman, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years, and also with fine.
Section 354 – Defamation. Whoever, by words either spoken or intended to be read, or by signs or by visible representations, makes or publishes any imputation concerning any person, intending to harm, or knowing or having reason to believe that such imputation will harm, the reputation of such person, shall be punished with simple imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or with both.
So with so many laws in place one may wonder why is this rampant and why are men not afraid to commit such acts?
The answer to this question lies in the fact that even though laws are there several factors come into the play which are in favour of these criminals.
- The victims often do not know that they have been victimized—so who will raise a complaint?
- The privacy features of Teleg*** allows criminals to use the app in near perfect anonymity. It allows them to talk and share media with strangers without revealing any personal information (name, number)
- The availability of secret recording apps which allow phone to record even when the camera is off
- Lack of awareness in the general public against these sort of crimes
- Lack of moderation in apps like Teleg***
- Lack of government or police intervention in monitoring these sort of activities and providing just and due punishment to people who commit these sort of offences.
Due to all the above factors (and many more), these types of crimes continue unhindered on Teleg*** and other similar apps.
With enough awareness, education and intervention I hope such crimes can be prevented in future, to make the world a better place to live in for our future generations.
Video showing a man committing such an act. One such incident among many.