How to protect yourself from online harassment?

Are you facing the problem of online abuse? Is someone threatening you on your social media accounts? Is someone recorded your private video or audio without your consent & threatening you to disclose it publicly? There are many laws in India to protect yourself from online harassment. 

If a person or group harasses, intimates, or threatens a victim using a digital platform ( any electronic media ) then, it is said to be online harassment. Online harassment is illegal in India. Information & Technology Act was passed in 2000 which deals with cybercrime & e-commerce. It regulates the online abuse present on the internet.

There are many different types of online harassment in India – 

1. Cyber Stalking – It involves the use of the internet or other digital technologies to harm the victim like false allegations, frauds, defamation, etc. It is an extensive form of cyberbullying. Cyberbullying involves spreading fake information, posting humiliating photos, sending offensive messages with an intention to harm someone. 
2.  Online Imitation – It is also known as online impersonation. It is an act of creating a fake online presence (social media profile) of someone. Many social media handles claim to have anti-online impersonation policies. But, they never followed it. I have seen fake accounts on Facebook, Instagram, etc.
3.  Catfishing – It is a fraudulent activity performed by an individual or group in which they create fake IDs on social networking sites & dating sites to make relationships with the victim with the intention to steal their personal information. 
4. Doxxing – It is a mischievous act of revealing or publishing the identity of a person including their real name, home address, workplace, or personal information, etc. Mostly the hackers or fraudulent person obtain the information of the victim with the evil intention to extort & hurt the person. 
5. Swatting – It is a criminal activity to send the emergency services like the police force, fire brigade, etc, to any other person’s house to misguide them. 
6. Trolling – It is a malicious activity to post offensive, inflammatory materials on digital platforms with an intention to emotionally grab the attention of the public.
7. Revenge Porn – It is an offensive activity to share sexual messages or videos with the victim without their consent. 

Different laws in Information Technology Act, 2000  – 

1. Section 65 of IT Act, 2000 – Anyone who intentionally alters or tampers the computer program, computer system, or computer network. Punishment for tampering with the computer programs – 3 Years Jail, or 2 Lakh Fine or Both.
2. Section 67 –  An act to publish or post offensive material on social media, messages, email, etc is a punishable offense. Punishment for posting offensive materials to someone without consent – 5 years jail or 10 Lakh fine or both.

Not only this but there are many laws in India that prevent crime, Online fraud over the internet. If you are facing any of these problems then, you must have to go to the police station and file a complaint. You can also file your complaint online on the official website of the cyber crime department in India. Never ignore these kinds of malicious activities.

You should also consult a lawyer who will assist you to take the right steps to tackle the problems. If you are looking for free legal advice or consult a lawyer then, Click here to get free legal advice.