A step in the right direction

The tool protects the confidentiality of the victim. Representation pic

In a global initiative, Meta (formerly Facebook) has joined hands with Indian organisations and NGOs such as Centre for Social Research, Red Dot Foundation and Social Media Matters to set up an initiative that will focus its attention towards the prevention of proliferation on Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII) on the Internet. "We look towards the confluence of gender, technology, data and social media. This initiative helps victims to directly engage with the platform to have offending images removed. In doing so, our hope is to give agency back to the victim," explains ElsaMarie D'Silva, who is the founder of Red Dot Foundation.

The complainant can upload the concerned image to stopNCII.org, which will generate a digital footprint that will be sent across participating platforms to look for matches. The concerned image will not be uploaded on the portal and, in a way, this step further ensures confidentiality for the complainant. "Our organisation regularly receives complaints from people, especially the youth, about online bullying and blackmail. This tool mitigates the sharing of said image and protects the material from being further passed around," comments Pratishtha Arora, CEO and co-founder of Social Media Matters.

ElsaMarie D'Silva and Pratishtha Arora

There are large-scale consequences to virtual interactions spilling over into real life. The taboo surrounding the reporting of such cases, the insensitivity and victim-blaming mentality of authorities and society in general, are greatly reduced through this initiative. "Although it is still in its nascent stages, the tool will surely help to remove the taboo surrounding reporting such violations and empower victims by ensuring provisions for adequate recourse when they find themselves trapped in these situations," shares Arora.

Meta has also introduced the Women's Safety Hub in Hindi and 11 other regional languages to enable women from all regions to explore and access social media safely. "Unfortunately, there has been an increase in the trend of intimate images being passed around online, of pictures being morphed and of deepfakes being made. This development is a step in the right direction as it acknowledges the issue of online harassment and abuse. It helps build confidence in the victims in knowing that they are not alone," assures D'Silva.

Log on to: stopncii.org, safecity.in, socialmediamatters.in