There is an evil side to
social media as well, the one which we sometimes conveniently ignore or refuse
to accept its existence. But, that evil is lurking around, choosing its next
victim online.
One such evil is the
circulation of rape videos on various social media platforms. Videos of
sexual exploitation and rape are actually sold in large numbers in states
like UP, Bihar, Rajasthan for as low as Rs 50. Shady dealers from rural
hinterland acquire these videos, and make a business out of that.
And as per reports, these
dealers acquire such sick videos from social media portals like Youtube and
Dailymotion. And once a customer buys this video, it is again been
re-circulated on the social media via WhatsApp, Facebook and the trauma of the
victim continues.
Understanding the gravity of
the situation, Supreme Court has ordered Facebook, Google, Microsoft to
immediately place a ban on these videos.
A bench headed by Justice
Madan B Lokur said, “The social media which is used to circulate the
explicit clips should also be called in to ascertain their view as to how this
can be curbed. We are issuing notice”,
This order was passed to
Additional Solicitor General Maninder Singh.
Representing Govt. of India,
Additional Solicitor will now issue notices to these social media portals and
ask them to devise methods which can stop the sharing and viewing of these
videos.
Why Supreme Court
Intervened?
The Bench was hearing a PIL
filed by Sunitha Krishnan who had initiated the popular #ShameTheRapistCampaign.
Under this campaign, she received rape videos of more than 200 victims, which
are being shamelessly shared across social media platforms, and instead of
damaging the ‘reputation’ of the rapists, is destroying the life of the
victims.
After her campaign, Govt.
instructed CBI to investigate these videos, and book the culprits – both the
rapists and those who are buying such videos and then circulating them on
social media.
Interestingly, last month,
the Court asked whether social media portals can held accountable and declared
as accused in this case? This observation was made because these social media
portals are the mediums through which such videos propagate, and if they are
declared as accused along with the rapists and buyers of such videos, then it
can turn out to be an interesting legal case study.
Analysts are saying that
social media portals are mere platforms for sharing content, and hence, they
cannot be held responsible for the type of the content. But yes, they can
certainly block some specific type of content, if it harnesses evil and hatred.
Taking actual data from
National Crime Record Bureau statistics, the apex court has asked the Centre to
point out measures taken by the Govt. to stop cyber crimes against women and
children.
As per arguments made by the
Centre, it was revealed that Home Ministry has established exclusive Indian
Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, which will work to stop such cyber crimes,
including sharing of rape videos.
A statement from the Home
Ministry said, “In order to tackle cyber crimes comprehensively, MHA has
already set up an expert committee to recommend a roadmap for tackling the
menace,”
