Cybercrime the greatest threat While technology has many benefits and has helped improving life in general, there are several risks associated that go on to even jeopardise the very existence of human beings. The risks of technology, social media particularly, aren’t restricted to mere privacy or data theft today. There are real and perceptible risks such as stalking, copyright violations, impersonations, frauds and other serious offences. And, with the surge in technology and its implementation in almost all aspects of human life, there is also an increased risk of the misuse of technology and social media and breaking of the laws meant to protect people.
According to the National Crime Records Bureau(NCRB) data, India recorded 50,035 cases of cybercrime in 2020 and this was an 11.8 per cent surge in such offences over the previous year. Additionally, 578 incidents of ‘fake news on social media’ were also reported as per the official data. It is interesting to note that the rate of cybercrime (incidents per lakh population) also increased from 3.3 per cent in 2019 to 3.7 percent in 2020. In 2019, as per official data, India recorded 44,735 cases of cyber rime. The same statistic stood at 27,248 in 2018 according to official data.
Social media platforms not so safe
Since the onset of social media, the platforms primarily meant for ‘networking’ have been in the news for the wrong reasons. There is no denying that social media has come a long way in connecting people, helping small businesses and entrepreneurs reach out to the right customer base even help people in getting right information at the time of need. But, fact remains that social media can pose serious threat to its users and in more ways than one. Fraud, impersonation, stalking, blackmailing, identity theft, trolling, pornography, harassment, cyber bullying, disturbing and mind-altering games, etc. are some of the risks associated with social media platforms today.
Just like any other offence, the risks associated with the use of social media are highly increased for the marginalised and the weaker sections of the society. In fact, most such offences and crimes are particularly targeted towards such groups that includes but is not limited to children, women even the elderly.
The magnitude of crimes and offences emerging from the use of social media is alarming and so is the number of existing and potential targets. The last decade has witnessed the emergence of some of the most popular social networking and data- sharing services such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Tik Tok, etc. With each passing day, new social media apps and platforms emerge the world over and so do the followers thereby creating new risks for its users.
The magnitude of the problem
Internet penetration in India is phenomenal and unmatched and with the ease of access to internet, Indians have managed to make the most of social media as well. On an average, Indians spend about 2.25 hours on social media in one day. Not just this, the number of social media users has been growing at an exponential rate in India. In 2021, there were 448 million social media users, thanks to the deep penetration of internet connectivity across rural and urban India.
The number of internet users in India has increased at a striking rate as well. Internet users in India today have grown to a whopping 624 million which is roughly 45 per cent of the total population of India. And now, social media has become one of the most essential parts of daily internet usage in India.
The other reason for the increased use of social media is the easy access to smartphones. Smartphones today have become a necessity and a basic amenity. To add to that, falling prices of smartphones due to cut-throat competition have also led to the use of smartphones among people from all sections of the society in India – in rural and urban areas alike.
Due to the increased use of smartphones and availability of fast and cheap internet on the phones, there has been a large scale adoption of social media. So, in India today, there are more than 572 million mobile internet users of which 444 million also use social media on their phones.
Social media provides anonymity
Despite the popularity and use of social media platforms and apps, they have also led to a sharp increase in the range of cybercrimes and offences perpetrated against the weak including women and children, owing to the anonymity afforded by the virtual space. Anonymity offered by social media and the virtual world plays a big role in strengthening perpetrators. It makes it easy for the offender to identify and harass the victim without even physically facing him or her.
Today, new-age cybercrimes are being perpetrated and social media has been used excessively in such incidents. Recently, a 38-year- old advertising professional in Mumbai was arrested for stalking a colleague on social media despite her explicit and expressed unwillingness to maintain any contact with the perpetrator. The anonymity provided by the digital space has emboldened many such offenders who keep a track on their ‘prey’ through social media activity and digital footprints.
One of the most important aspects of cyberspace is that it is never completely disconnected from the real world. So, any or all information that one puts on social media can be and is more often than not used for perpetrating offences in the real world. For example, stalking in digital space or cyber stalking may be used by an offender to commit physical stalking that may even lead to rape, murder and other more serious offences.
One of the main cyber-risks is to think they don’t exist
A more recent phenomenon that has crippled social media is trolling. Trolling typically targets women and ‘weaker’ segments of the society where their views and opinions are challenged and criticised en masse. Often, such criticism snowballs into threats of acid attack, rape, murder, etc. Many social media platforms in general and Twitter in particular have been a victim of this and despite guidelines and strict actions, trolling continues to affect many social media users.
Stricter laws need of the hour
While most users don’t realise the risks of social media and that of putting information, photos and videos out on social media platforms, the fact remains the risks are real. In the absence of stricter laws and awareness on such issues, it will always be risky to use social media.
Most people do not understand how information they put may be misused to their detriment, that of their family members and even to the risk of their life and limb. Women and children are victimised the most for offences such as stalking, online abuse, cyber bullying, cybersex, trolling, etc.
With time, most social media platforms have brought in new user policies and security and privacy features but the risks continue to remain. It’s important for the user to be aware of the risks involved in posting information and media on social media accounts.
Privacy settings may prevent access of data especially images to ‘public’ but may not stop a ‘friend’ from downloading the images or using that information to hurt the person.
Also, stalking by one’s family is a lot more common than what statistics suggest. Often snubbed as a ‘family matter’, stalking by family continues to affect many women who wish to stay away from abusive families.
It’s important for law to keep pace with newer challenges posed by social media platforms. Awareness, sensitisation and strict implementation of the law are important to prevent such offences and misuse of social media.