Noman Mosharef :
Women feel imperiled online platforms. About 50 complaints are filed everyday with Bangladesh Police’s ‘Police Cyber Support for Women (PCSW)’ facebook page. The women mostly aged between 16 and 24 prey to cyber harassment.
A significant number of allegations are facebok related such as ID hack; super impose image and pornography type crime.
However, Bangladesh Police are going to launch an app ‘Eagle BD’ for the purpose of ensuring the cyber security of the women. The app will be operated without Internet connection.
Tulip (Pseudonym) fell in love with a senior during her college life. When Tulip decided that she would not continue the relations, her friend threatened her and uploaded few photos and video clips online.
Besides, creating fake facebook ID and making repugnant content by using photos and spreading personal mobile number are becoming normal as cyber bulling.
Despite being a victim of harassment, 30 percent of victims do not know how to take legal action against it. Of the rest, 25 percent did not complain to law enforcers thinking that it would not bring any benefit.
Lack of clear idea of the remedy, and public shame and fear have been blamed as the main reasons of harassment. On the one hand, women are being cheated and their personal lives are being ruined due to blackmail and threats.
To overcome these problems, the police formed a special unit with women members.
Khaleda Akhter, Additional Superintendent of Police at the police headquarters, said, 8,824 complaints have been lodged on their Facebook page in the last six months, about 50 a day.
Now, the new app of the police, Eagle BD, is being prepared to provide security to the workingwomen and children at night. Initially, women and children can use it by registering with the national identity card number.
According to the police, women aged between 16 and 24 are the most victims of cyber crime. And 73 percent of women are victims of cyber bullying.
The first Cyber Crime Prevention Act (ICT Act) was enacted in Bangladesh in 2006. This law was amended in 2013 and the only cyber tribunal was also set up in Dhaka that year. The law provides for 10 years imprisonment and a fine of up to Tk 10 lakh for taking and publishing personal photos or videos without anyone’s permission.
Experts believe that cyber crime will be greatly reduced if the law is enforced and the awareness created for proper use of the law.
