Cybercriminals are abusing social media to exploit, blackmail, and bully young women and children in astonishing numbers. Police Cyber Support for Woman (PCSW) has received at least 15,000 complaints related to such cybercrimes in the seven months since its formation. During the pandemic when educational institutions remain closed and school students are using social media for classes or to stay connected with peers, the number of cyberbullying multiplied. The victims of cybercrimes are mostly aged between 17 and 30.
The PCSW was able to address 4,703 of the complaints by taking actions like legal steps and taking down content from the internet. According to the data, 28.07 per cent of the offenders are creating fake accounts with the victims’ names and are slandering them. Exposing the victims’ private contents account for 20.95 per cent of the complaints. At least 4.36 per cent of the complaints were specifically on spreading private nude photos. A staggering 10 per cent is on blackmailing, while hacking of accounts for 7.8 per cent of the complaints. The progress of PCSW has been hampered largely by victims’ not sharing the information it needs for the probe. At least 1,659 of the victims refused to share information when the PCSW asked for details regarding 2,558 complainants.
The recent revelation of trafficking of some Bangladeshi girls to India and forcing them into sexwork has made headlines. The criminals used the app TikTok to lure the girls into the trap. After a video clip of a 22-year-old woman being tortured and sexually assaulted in India went viral on social media, the law enforcers in Bangladesh managed to find the racket involving Bangladeshis and Indians. It was recently discovered that Bigo Live was being used for paid illicit shows. An agent and the country manager of the app was arrested for the hosting of live-streaming shows of girls for paid customers on the platform.
The teenagers and youths are spending a lot of time on cyberspace. The easy access to social media has made it easy for criminals to target young women. The women with minimal digital literacy are becoming easy prey for them. Cybersecurity companies should launch awareness campaigns, while government and non-government actors should keep an eye on those abusing the cyberspace.
