Exclusive Report: Harassment and Abuse of Females on Social Networking and Dating Apps

The rapid growth of social networking and dating apps has provided opportunities for communication and connection but has also led to a surge in online harassment and abuse, particularly targeting women. In India, the increasing prevalence of cybercrimes against women reflects broader societal issues, including gender inequality and the misuse of digital platforms. This report presents a factual analysis of the issue, supported by data from 2014 to 2024, focusing on cases registered under police cyber cells, statewide trends, and the impact of these platforms on Indian society.

Cybercrime Against Women: A Decade in Numbers (2014–2024)

The number of cybercrimes against women has risen sharply over the past decade. In 2017, 4,242 cases of cybercrimes targeting women were reported, which increased to 8,730 cases in 2019, reflecting a 105% rise in just two years.

By 2022, cybercrimes specifically targeting women accounted for 5.2% (3,434 cases) of all cybercrime cases registered in India. The COVID-19 pandemic further exacerbated this issue, as internet usage surged by 50-70%, leading to an exponential increase in online gender-based violence (OGBV).

Key categories of cybercrime include:

• Cyberstalking/Bullying: Cases rose from 555 in 2017 to 887 in 2020, marking a 59.82% increase.

• Cyber Pornography/Publishing Obscene Materials: Cases increased from 271 in 2017 to 1,665 in 2020, a staggering 514.39% rise, with states like Uttar Pradesh and Andhra Pradesh reporting the highest growth rates.
• Sextortion Scams: These emerged as one of the most common forms of cybercrime in recent years, with significant complaints reported across states.

Statewide Analysis of Cybercrimes Against Women

India’s most populous state, Uttar Pradesh, consistently recorded the highest number of crimes against women. In 2021 alone, the state reported over 56,000 cases, followed by Rajasthan with 40,738 cases, and Maharashtra with 39,526 cases.

Data on Cases Registered in 2021

Cybercrime-specific data shows:

Delhi: Topped the list in 2023 with 755 complaints per lakh population, followed by Chandigarh (432 complaints) and Haryana (381 complaints).

Andhra Pradesh: Cases rose from 173 in 2017 to 375 in 2020, highlighting significant growth.

Odisha and Tamil Nadu: Reported growth rates of803% and 477%, respectively, between 2017 and 2020.

The disparity between states reflects variations in internet penetration, urbanization levels, and reporting mechanisms.

Cases Registered Under Police Cyber Cells

The National Cybercrime Reporting Portal received over 65,893 complaints in 2022, marking a significant increase from 52,974 complaints in 2021. Among these:

• Sexual exploitation accounted for 5.2% (3,434 cases).

• Extortion constituted another 5.5% (3,648 cases).

Despite growing awareness and improved reporting mechanisms, challenges persist. Procedural delays within police cyber cells often result in low conviction rates. Moreover, societal stigma discourages many victims from reporting incidents.

Impact of Social Networking and Dating Apps on Indian Youth

The psychological impact of dating apps on Indian youth is profound. Many platforms fail to implement adequate safeguards against harassment or misuse. Sextortion scams have become rampant as perpetrators exploit anonymity to coerce victims into sharing explicit content.

The normalization of casual relationships without education about consent fosters unhealthy attitudes toward women.

In 2023 alone:

• The total rate of cybercrime complaints stood at 129 per lakh population, with Delhi leading at an alarming rate of 755 complaints per lakh population.

• Reports indicate that young users are increasingly exposed to misogynistic behaviors due to insufficient regulation of adult dating apps.

Legal Frameworks and Challenges

India’s legal system provides several provisions under the Information Technology Act (2000) and Indian Penal Code (IPC) to address cybercrimes:

• Section 66E IT Act: Punishes violations of privacy.

• Section 67A IT Act: Penalizes publishing sexually explicit content.

• Section 354D IPC: Addresses stalking or bullying online.

Despite these legal frameworks:

• Awareness about rights remains low among victims.

• Only a fraction of registered complaints leads to convictions due to technical limitations within law enforcement agencies.

• Judicial delays discourage victims from pursuing justice.

Recommendations for Safer Digital Spaces

To combat harassment effectively:

1. Platforms must implement AI-driven moderation tools for identifying abusive behavior proactively.

2. Enhanced user verification processes can reduce fake profiles.

3. Public awareness campaigns should educate users about online safety practices.

4. Schools should introduce digital literacy programs focused on respectful online behavior.

5. Strengthening legal frameworks is essential to ensure accountability for hosting harmful content.

6. Dedicated helplines and free legal aid should be provided for victims.