The Dark Web

While the Internet is an important social environment, it can also become a devastating place. Young boys are now more exposed to sexual images online, while girls encounter more situations of sexting, and sextortion. This may lead to addictive behaviors, aggression or other psychological disorders. Therefore, this isn’t just ‘random stuff’ to be ignored.

Even if our generation wasn’t subject to this kind of net pressure, all wasn’t hunky dory either; because perverts have no time and age to showcase their twisted skills. All growing girls, at some time or the other, have been subjected to unwanted touching. As we grew up there were countless episodes of groping, frotteurism and voyeurism.

In crowded places, we shied away from lecherous looks; in buses we tried to squeeze against the windows to avoid the invasive elbows and thighs. It made us feel small, often wanting to shrink inside our bones. But we usually brushed them off for many reasons:

1- Since we couldn’t cure the offenders, or mend their debauched thoughts, we were socially engineered to just let it ride.

2- Even if we knew that degenerates thrive off reticence and reserve, we were reluctant to cause a public scene, for fear of embarrassing family or friends.

3- Most importantly, it takes a very bold and confident person to turn around and say ‘What are you doing,’ or ‘Back off!’

Back then we also had parents who monitored their children, guards that safeguarded our homes and nosy neighbours who kept an eye on the neighborhood. So when the Closed Circuit Televisions were first installed, they not only replaced all of the above, a lot of fears were also allayed. Since most crimes happen when nobody’s watching, the CCTV arrived as an alternative to the human eye. It constantly monitored events, gatherings, and localities, also helping the law enforcement department to hunt down fugitives, traffickers, cartels and more.

With millions of these ‘virtual eyes’, now focused on streets, homes, and public places, many families could now sleep in peace; children could play safely in parks; and women could travel without fear. Or so we thought, because the million dollar question is, do these surveillance measures actually provide the necessary security?

CCTV cameras, especially in public spaces, monitor all our activities without our consent. This constant surveillance can feel invasive, erode the sense of privacy and infringe upon our personal freedom. Even if it was meant for reassurance against danger, I somehow never had that feeling of security. I guess, the symbolic impact of the CCTV can be two-fold. In changing rooms in malls, or in public toilets, everyone deserves their privacy. Installation of such cameras here, there and everywhere makes us hyper vigilant, wanting to modify our behaviour- very often wanting to stay away from those prying eyes. Moreover, these cameras provide only a short-term solution, because not all forms of harassment can be captured. In truth, no digital tool can stop random acts of violence anywhere!

Personally, I have always been skeptical about all kinds of ‘digital bodyguards’. Even if they are designed to allow us to inform friends or family not to worry, there is always a lurking fear that we are in an unsafe place. As a woman, I have always felt we are bound to face a variety of vulnerabilities in the digital and technological age. I was right! While earlier the peeping toms drilled holes to peek through walls to watch, the modern-day brazen voyeurs are now using high-tech surveillance equipment to record and earn.

The recent allegations about videos being leaked from hospitals, beauty parlours, marriage halls and the Mahakumbh Mela has sent shock waves across the nation. Nearly 2000 videos from 60 to 70 hospitals across the nation have confirmed my suspicion that perverts flourish everywhere.

I mean, what kind of sick people want to watch pregnant women undergoing gynecological treatments; females undergoing sonography and breast check-ups; or mothers having painful childbirths? What kind of degenerates want to record pictures and videos of ladies bathing in the holy Ganga? What kind of depraved mentality wants to circulate women undressing for therapy in beauty parlours?

The horrifying part is that these videos have been uploaded by a YouTuber, giving links to the Telegram to view other such explicit content. The accused would post teaser clips first and the full video was available to those interested for a hefty amount. There were multiple categories allotted, with several subscription offers, making it easier for the sick ones to visit, navigate and ‘pay’ their respects. There was also a category that classified women from either Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, UP and so on, so that the perverts could have a taste of watching a women oriented diverse India.

The good news is that the Police have taken action, where three culprits have been arrested and one is still absconding. Meanwhile, they have already earned lakhs of rupees. It’s disheartening to know that two of them are Twelfth Pass NEET aspirants, who managed the financial transactions and promoted content online. The Master Mind is a YouTuber, who orchestrated the entire operation.

In one of his chats, the content creator admits: ‘Kaam ganda hai, par paisa dhandha hai’, which translates to ‘The job might be sleazy but the money is easy’, which shows just how strong the drive is to take the easy way out to earn a few bucks. To immerse yourself in such an organized crime, takes a lot of strategic forethought. If only they had used their skills in a better way.

The extent of this operation not only raises serious concerns about our privacy but also prompts us to think about our preparedness as a woman. If it can happen to X or Z, then it can happen to You too. Of course, it’s easy to blame it all on the kids for using women for their benefit and working diligently on such demeaning and unethical ‘projects’. But are they the only ones to blame? What about the sick adults who buy and view such content in the privacy of their homes.

For ages women weren’t recognized as fully independent beings with their own wants and needs. They were merely ‘objects’ to be ogled, fondled, ordered around, exploited for free labor, and treated as servants of men's desires. And yet, is it fair to blame all men? Just because they share the same gender, the worst of men cannot be a representation of men as a whole. In most families people still think it’s a man’s job to bring home the bacon and a jobless man is considered ‘useless’. What's that if not objectification?

So the uncomfortable truth is that we're all both subjects and objects to each other. As always, with feminist issues, it's a laser focus on a very narrow aspect of a much broader phenomenon. But it is high time we punish the culprits and not garland them, so that such ‘unhealthy’ practices are not repeated. And the only way to do it is to keep writing and sharing our views on every topic that is taboo. It is also important to educate your kids and foster an environment where there are more discussions. So that all their ignorance is eradicated and they can be more vigilant in future.

Nargis Natarajan is a writer/author who resides in Bhubaneswar. The views expressed here are the writer’s own.