The Digital India Bill should help us fight against gender injustice

Upcoming legislation for the digital realm could provide an internet-age framework of governance to secure the vulnerable

- FAUZIA KHAN & SHRUTI SHREYA

The increased exposure of our personal lives on the internet along with enhanced user data sharing has led to newer challenges, such as the emergence of Technology Facilitated Gender Based Violence (TFGBV), which is motivated by the sexual or gender identity of the target and involves the misuse of technology in order to harm, threaten, coerce, stalk or harass another person. Perpetrators of tech abuse misuse devices (such as phones and computers), accounts (such as email) and software or platforms (such as social media or tracking apps) to control, abuse, track and intimidate victim-survivors. The extent of harm to an individual’s safety and well-being can be extremely noxious, which makes it crucial to strengthen our response mechanisms and enhance victim redressal and recovery measures.

In the wake of these challenges, ongoing efforts to revamp India’s Information Technology Act, 2000 (IT Act), present an opportunity to enhance the adeptness of our regulatory interventions to tackle such violence, and to provide for a safer online experience for women and other marginalized communities without impinging upon their right to free speech and privacy.