Click, Share, Harm: Social Media’s Role in Violating Privacy of Domestic Violence Victims in India

Abstract

In the digital age, social media is both a source of empowerment and exploitation. It is a significant risk to the privacy of domestic violence survivors in India as it involves unauthorized disclosure of identity, cyberstalking, online harassment, and doxxing. Despite constitutional safeguards under Article 21 (Right to Privacy) and legal provisions such as Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005, Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023 and Information Technology Act, 2000, there are critical gaps that exist in protecting survivor privacy in the digital space. Social media platforms not only fail to effectively moderate content but also do not implement survivor-specific privacy settings and robust reporting mechanisms for safeguarding victims from further victimization. This article discusses the legal, social, and technological challenges related to the violation of privacy of domestic violence victims on social media in India. It also looks at international best practices, such as confidential address programs and stronger anti-doxxing laws, to suggest policy reforms and digital safety measures that can ensure better protection for survivors. Hence, the study emphasizes legal amendments, strict enforcement of cyber laws, and accountability for social media sites in order to provide a safer and better digital environment for survivors of domestic violence.