When technology becomes a tool of abuseDigital abuse, also known as technology-facilitated violence against women and girls, includes online harassment, cyberstalking, image-based abuse, sexualised deepfakes, impersonation, doxxing and blackmail. These forms of abuse can overlap, often serving to humiliate, intimidate or silence women. As AI makes fabricated content easier to create and distribute, removing an original post may not prevent it from resurfacing elsewhere.
‘Technology should not be used to harm women’“There is a difference between using and abusing technology. Advancements in technology aremeant to simplify life, not complicate it, in my opinion. Every girl out there is a daughter, granddaughter, sister, friend, or colleague, even if she chooses art as one of her professions. We wish to be part of an industry that spreads joy, with the confidence that we are in a protected environment.”— Sreeleela in a statement shared on social media urging fans to refrain from supporting AI-generated content that she described as harmful and misleading
‘A woman’s boundaries are not up for debate’“The criminal misuse of technology to objectify women and circulate fictionalised content without consent is deeply violating, bordering on sexual assault. Almost every woman in my industry has faced some version of this, and women everywhere are increasingly being subjected to it. Consent, choice and respect for a woman’s body should be among the most basic notions of humanity. Yet somehow, they continue to be treated as complicated. They are not…Even if a woman says yes five days in a row and no on the sixth, that no must be respected. If she happens to wear a miniskirt, it does not give anyone permission to put a camera up her skirt, capture violating angles or visually exploit her body. What a woman is comfortable with, where she draws the line and what she chooses to do with her body are decisions that belong exclusively to her…It is about the larger reality of being a woman, the gaze, the judgement, the constant negotiation for safety, and the feeling that our boundaries somehow remain open to interpretation. That threat has now expanded into the digital sphere, when we have not even adequately addressed the very real, physical fear that continues to disrupt the lives of women every day”— Janhvi Kapoor, in a statement shared on Instagram
‘I refuse to let online attacks silence my voice’“Women have long been subjected to morphed and manipulated images, and men need to stop using a woman’s body to threaten, shame, or silence her. We will achieve true freedom only when our bodies are no longer weaponised against us. The level of online hate is extreme. What’s disturbing is that many abusers are well-educated, working high-paying jobs or studying at top institutes. Their online behaviour is shockingly different from who they appear to be offline. Despite all of this, I refuse to be silenced. These attacks have no power over my voice.”— Chinmayi Sripada, singer and dubbing artiste
‘I am a public figure, not public property’“You cannot treat me like something you can walk over or crush. My dignity, integrity, and self-respect are not for anyone to trample on. Most trollers never reveal their real identities. They hide behind fake pages because they don’t want their own friends and family to see the kind of filth they put out online.If I feel someone has crossed a boundary, I call it out. I don’t use abusive language, but I give it back because they need to understand that limits exist. Women face this far more. There is no denying it. These are mindsets shaped by patriarchy, hierarchy, misogyny, and male chauvinism.Deepfakes and AI morphing are misuses of technology. Parents must teach children right from wrong, and these lessons should be part of school education too.”— Kushboo Sundar, actor, producer, politician“Online abuse often stems from envy and perceived power imbalances. High visibility and engagement can trigger resentment, which sometimes escalates into coordinated harassment. Most identified abusers are men aged 25 to 30, with organised groups, even across borders, amplifying abuse”— Pragati Ratan, cyber crime investigator
‘AI is a force for progress; but misuse can harm women’“When truth can be manufactured, discernment becomes our greatest defence. AI is a force for progress, but its misuse to create vulgarity and target women signals a deep moral decline. The internet is no longer a mirror of truth. It is a canvas where anything can be fabricated. Let us rise above misuse and use AI responsibly to build a more dignified society. If people cannot act like humans, strict and unforgiving punishment must be served.”— Rashmika Mandanna, actor, in a recent post on X
‘I genuinely doubt the efficiency of social media platforms’“There are times when I receive extremely disturbing images and videos from men in my DMs. Some people derive a performative pleasure from sending such content. You may post a picture simply because you feel confident or beautiful, but some people view it through an entirely inappropriate lens. Women in entertainment become easy targets. There’s a false assumption that we are ‘open’ to certain behaviour, which is absolutely not the case. I’ve reported and blocked pages sharing disturbing content, only to see the same posts resurfacing days later. With technology advancing so fast, there must be stronger guidelines and protocols. Without that, women will never feel safe online. There should also be stricter entry requirements for digital vloggers and creators. Having a phone and a YouTube channel should not be the criteria. When actresses speak openly about online abuse, it does make a difference. Most of us have experienced it in some form, and continuing to say this behaviour is unacceptable is important.”— Gouri G Kishan, actorWhat platforms promise — and where enforcement faltersSocial media platforms prohibit non-consensual intimate imagery, impersonation and certain forms of manipulated content. India’s amended IT Rules also require intermediaries to address unlawful AI-generated material. However, enforcement remains inconsistent, with harmful content often resurfacing through alternate accounts or spreading across platforms. Reporting mechanisms do not always guarantee swift removal. While the updated rules strengthen platform obligations through technical safeguards and faster grievance redressal, their effectiveness will depend on consistent implementation, timely action and accessible remedies for affected users.What the law coversIndia’s legal framework offers remedies against several forms of digital abuse. The Information Technology Act, 2000, covers identity theft, online impersonation, privacy violations and the publication of obscene or sexually explicit material under Sections 66C, 66D, 66E, 67 and 67A, where applicable. The Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, addresses offences including sexual harassment, voyeurism and criminal intimidation. Amendments to the IT Rules, effective February 2026, also strengthen obligations on platforms to address unlawful AI-generated content, including deepfakes and non-consensual intimate imagery.What’s changingThe February 2026 IT Rules amendments mandate clear labelling and traceable metadata for AI-generated content. They also strengthen platform safeguards against unlawful synthetic material and require content involving specified categories, including nudity and impersonation, to be removed or disabled within two hours of a qualifying complaint.