“I cannot even begin to explain how much of a nightmare that time was. It felt hopeless”, said the father of two minor daughters who became victims of technology-facilitated, image-based abuse (IBA) despite having no social media presence themselves.

The incident came as a complete shock to the family when they discovered manipulated photos of the girls being shared inappropriately on social media. While narrating the incident, the father said, “I couldn’t figure out how to reassure my daughters that it is going to be okay; they were completely terrified.”

It wasn’t just a violation of their privacy; it was a violation of their safety, dignity and childhood. After exhausting different avenues and being disappointed, the father reached out to the Digital Security Helpline at the Digital Rights Foundation (DRF). Upon receiving the complaint, the Helpline promptly took action and removed the accounts through platform escalation.

Since its creation, the DRF has advocated for safe and accessible online spaces where everyone, especially women and vulnerable individuals, can exercise the right of self-expression without fear. The Digital Security Helpline aims to break the perpetuating cycle of online violence, serving as the first line of defence between those targeted by online harassment and those who attempt to silence them.

In 2024 alone, the Cyber Harassment Helpline received 3,171 cases, demonstrating the critical need for digital safety awareness and direct support. Among these were 124 cases involving minors, 113 involving journalists, 18 cases from gender minorities, nine from ethnic minorities, and 15 by religious minorities. These numbers illustrate the alarming and ongoing threats to vulnerable communities online. Over the past eight years, the helpline has responded to 20,020 cases, highlighting its role as a........

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