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Nov 264 min read

What Resources Are Available For Victims Of Online Privacy Violations?

Concerns About The Potential For Crosscutting Privacy Violations In The Digital Era Are On The Rise, Especially In Countries Like India Which Has Witnessed A Sudden Increase In Internet Use. On The Other Hand, This Rising Trend Of People Seeking Information Through The Internet Has Also Brought About Challenges, For Instance, Cybersecurity Breaches, Harassment, Privacy Threats, And Other Forms Of Crime. Some Of The Cybercrimes That Can Infringe On One’s Privacy Online Include Hacking, Social Engineering, Distributing Of Personal Information, Impersonation, And Defamation Among Others.

Online Privacy: Legal Framework

Information Technology Act 2000:


  • Hacking And Unauthorized Access Provisions Clean Up And Include Section 43 And Section 66 Of The It Act Respectively. Anyone Who Hacks, Processes, Or Stores Information, Pictures, Or Sounds Without Permission Faces Sanctions, Even Imprisonment.

  • Honesty In The Use Of The Internet And Impersonation Of Persons Using People’s Computers In Undertaking Fraudulent Acts Are Among The Issues Tackled In Sections 66c And 66d.

  • Protection Of Personal Information And Remedy For Wrongful Disclosure Of Personal Information, Section 43a Imposes Liability Against Corporations For Breach Of Confidentiality Of User Information.


Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023:


  • Stalking As Defined In Section 78 Of Bns Entails Monitoring An Individual’s Online Presence Or Activities. 

  • Online Defamation Can Be Dealt With As Defamation Under Sections 356(1) And 356 (2) Of Bns. 

  • Threats Made Through Communication Devices, Particularly The Internet, Which Include Harassment And Cyberbullying Are Taken Care Of Under Section 351(4) Of Bns As Anonymous Criminal Intimidation.


Personal Data Protection Bill 2019:


  • The Personal Data Protection Bill (Pdpb), Even Though Not Passed Yet, Aims To Provide An Overall Data Protection Regime In India. 

  • It Seeks To Regulate The Use Of Personal Data And Has Stringent Requirements Regarding Consent, Rights Of Users, And Obligations Of The Data Processors. In The Event That This Measure Is Given The Green Light, It Will Significantly Bolster People's Protection From Encroachments On Their Privacy, Particularly In The Online Sphere.


Resources Available For Victims Of Online Privacy Violations

Law Enforcement Agencies:


  • Governmental Authorities Such As Law Enforcement Agencies Are Capable Of Assisting People Whose Online Privacy Has Been Compromised. The Cyber Crime Investigation Cell Of The Indian Police Force Is Aimed At Dealing With Issues Related To Cybercrime. Every Indian State Has Established A Cyber Crime Cell To Handle Such Issues. These Units Are Ready To Investigate Crimes Such As Identity Theft, Phishing, Hacking, And Even Revenge Pornography.

  • Complaints Can Also Be Raised By The Victims Through The Online Grievance Redressal Mechanism Provided By The Ministry Of Home Affairs National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. This Portal Enables The User To Lodge A Complaint Against Various Activities Including Internet-Related Issues, Child Abuse Images, And Financial Frauds. When A Complaint Has Been Filed, The Prosecution Along With Other Competent Law Enforcement Agencies Concerned Shall Cause The Matter To Be Taken Up For Prosecution.


Non-Governmental Organizations:


  • Cyber Peace Foundation Deals With Issues Of Crime In The Cyber World As Well As Sensitization On The Aspects Of Cybersecurity. It Assists Online Abuse Victims And Organizes Educational Workshops On How To Practice Safety Online. 

  • Internet Freedom Foundation Operates As An Online Rights Advocacy Group And Extends Legal Help And Support To Anyone Whose Privacy Has Been Violated Online. They Deal With Issues Like Data Breaches, Surveillance, And Internet Rights. 

  • Red Dot Foundation (Safecity) Provides A Mechanism For Reporting Incidents Of Sexual Harassment And Abuse (Including Online Abuse). The Information Collected Is Used To Create A Geographical Representation Of Where Such Incidences Are Common And Advocate For Their Eradication.


Technology-Based Resources:


  • In Order To Safeguard Against The Exposure Of Their Private Information, Victims May Consider Taking Advantage Of The Privacy Features Provided In Various Social Networking Sites As Well. The Majority Of These Platforms Provide Options To Report And Block Users Who Post Malicious Content Or Are Stalking Them.

  • With The Assistance Of Sophisticated Computer Programs, It Is Difficult To Avoid Hacking, Phishing, And Malware Attacks. A Number Of Programs That Offer Active Protection From These Types Of Attacks If Installed And Used Will Help Reduce The Risk Of Exposure Of Sensitive Information To Almost Negligible.

  • Many Different Types Of Programs And Platforms Have Been Designed With Features That Prevent Users From Experiencing Harassment And Or Bullying Online. These Tools Enable Users Who Are Victims Of Abuse From That Site To Lodge Complaints And Leave Or Avoid Unwelcome Situations.


Corporate Measures And Data Protection Policies:


  • Organizations Managing Customer Information Are More Aware Of The Importance Of Having Rigorous Data Security Measures In Place. As A Result Of International Standards Such As The General Data Protection Regulation (Gdpr), Many Organizations Have Developed Internal Policies And Even Data Protection Structures. If A Data Breach Takes Place, Affected Individuals May Reach Out To A Business To Seek Compensation, Redress, Or Even The Removal Of Their Personal Data.


Education And Awareness Campaigns:


  • Numerous Programs, Both Governmental And Non-Governmental, Seek To Inform The Public About Issues Related To Internet Safety And Privacy Preservation. Most Campaigns Such As Digital India And Projects Created By Organizations Like The Data Security Council Of India (Dsci) Focus On Drawing Attention To The Risks Associated With Internet Usage And Measures That Can Be Taken To Protect Private Data.


One Can Talk To A Lawyer From Lead India For Any Kind Of Legal Support. In India, Free Legal Advice Online Can Be Obtained At Lead India. Along With Receiving Free Legal Advice Online, One Can Also Ask Questions To The Experts Online For Free Through Lead India.


Visit Us: — www.leadindia.law

Call Us: +91–8800788535

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