In the age of social media, we have become more vulnerable to illegal acts like blackmailing. The most common form of blackmailing to exist on the internet is someone threatening to leak your private pictures online.
Do you know what to do if, god forbid, you ever fall prey to it? Unless you are a law student, probably not.
Don’t worry, we got your back. It is an essential life skill that you must know to survive in the digital era.
Blackmailing On Social Media
In most cases, the threat comes from a trusted person (your former relationship partner, your friend, or maybe a relative). It could be a spiteful ex threatening to post the pictures that you shared with them in confidence. In some cases, the photos may be clicked without your knowledge and consent and used against you.
They can have varying motives to do so. Many demand money, and some demand physical intimacy too. A few others may do it just for “fun”. Whatever be the case, you should remember that you are never at fault in these cases.
You may have sexted with the person, may have had a sexual relationship with them, or sent your nudes to them. But none of it makes you a criminal. Do you know what does? Blackmailing someone and threatening to post their pictures online.
What To Do If Someone Threatens To Leak Your Private Pictures?
First, try to disarm the blackmailer at your level. They harness your fear of your reputation getting soiled. For example, if they threaten to show those pictures to your parents, then you can take the bold step and tell them yourself.
It may be hard, it mostly is, but it is for your own good. Doing this would snatch the person of their leverage, and without it, they have nothing to hold against you.
Consulting a lawyer before going to the police is advisable as a lawyer can offer you prudent advice. A civil case can be filed in court, and a notice sent to the accused that will scare them. Would they risk having criminal charges against them? Mostly not unless they are psychopaths or highly influential.
If the threat is grave and immediate, then you can directly approach the police without the help of a lawyer, though the latter is advised if you can afford it.
You can also report the crime anonymously at www.cybercrime.gov.in, website by the Ministry of Home Affairs. The police of your respective state/UT acts on the information provided by you, and the progress of the case can be tracked online.
Read More: “Everytime I’d Want To Leave Him, He’d Threaten To Leak My Private Pictures”: Revenge Porn Is Real
Laws For Your Protection
- Capturing or publishing private pictures without consent is a punishable offense under Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000 – Violation Of Privacy. The accused, if found guilty, is liable for imprisonment extending up to three years.
- Sharing images or videos to defame someone is punishable under Section 67 of the IT Act, 2000 -Transmitting obscene electronic material. The accused, if found guilty, is liable for imprisonment extending up to five years and a fine also.
- If you or someone in your contact going through this is a minor, Section 67B Of IT Act, 2000 – Child Pornography applies.
Know Your Rights And Act Judiciously
In such cases, reporting or taking the help of a trusted person becomes difficult due to stigma, victim-blaming culture, and poor sensitization. But, not taking these routes and giving in to the blackmailer only makes them stronger and encourages them to do this with other people also.
It is better that you take a stand for yourself and pave the way for change. No one can mess with your privacy!
Sources: Gadgets Now, IP Leaders, Legal Service India
Image Sources: Google Images
Find The Blogger: @TinaGarg18
This post is tagged under: someone threatens to leak your private pictures, social media, cybersecurity, digital era, facebook, Instagram, pornography, reddit, porn, sexual graphics, obscene pictures, social media drawbacks, victim blaming, sharing private pictures online, child pornography, laws on cybersecurity, Information Technology act 2000, it act 2000, violation of privacy
