With the rapid advancements in technology in the country and worldwide, the majority of work is now conducted online, providing both advantages and drawbacks. Subsequently, the need for digital safety has become critical in safeguarding against vulnerabilities and security breaches.
Everyone should care about their digital safety due to the potential risks of data theft, financial losses, fines, and reputational damage that may arise if our information lands in the wrong hands and is used for the wrong purposes. My focus in this blog is drawn towards the nonconsensual sharing of intimate images which is commonly referred to as “Revenge Pornography”.
In simple terms, this entails the circulation of intimate photos or videos of an individual, often accompanied by personal identifying information, including their online accounts and where they live. Victims, who might have initially shared these images consensually with their partners, suffer the violation of their privacy when these visuals are distributed without their consent. In most cases, the images are shared by disgruntled ex-partners seeking revenge for ending the relationship. Victims are often blamed for the disclosure of their private images instead of holding the perpetrators accountable for violating the privacy of those who trusted them.
Prominent personalities like Kim Kardashian, Desire Luzinda, and Martha Kay — just to mention a few, have also faced the repercussions of such acts. The circulation of such images can lead to cyberstalking and harassment. Once the image is released it is often difficult to stop its further circulation, and individuals who are victims may face intense shame, post-traumatic stress syndrome or at worst, harbour suicidal thoughts. Others may be forced to quit social media platforms for the sake of their mental wellbeing. Sometimes, even after shutting down their devices, the impact of the leaked image on the internet lingers in other aspects of their lives, as it is impossible for anyone to ‘un-see’ the image.
Critical analysis of the effects of this cyber threat should not be ignored because it can happen to anyone, even someone close to you. This therefore calls for more stringent measures and laws to be developed to make people feel safe on the internet and social media platforms. WhatsApp has introduced a feature that allows one-time viewable media, which can’t be downloaded. However, pirated versions can circumvent these protections and still save media.
Furthermore the vice is on the rise due to the lack of laws to check it. The ignorant victims, who are usually women, suffer quietly as the laws and society focus on the cultural and moral aspects of any given incident. There is no law against the perpetrators and even when they are made, as with the case of the recently passed Computer Misuse Act of 2022 of Uganda, law enforcers don’t know the action to take in the absence of specific laws. Technological and legal capacity should exist to control the distribution of pornography. This act should be criminalized and anyone found guilty should be put behind bars. This will serve as an example to curb the abuse of people’s digital rights.
Revenge pornography as a subject has received little or limited attention from the public, legislators, law enforcement officials, and decision-makers when it comes to addressing it as a crime. Total eradication of revenge porn is quite an impossible task but it can be minimized to a great extent. People who search for revenge pornography should think about the challenges faced by victims. Revenge porn sites should respond immediately and take action to remove content that’s shared without the consent of the concerned party.
Society and family members of the victims should act as support systems for the affected people and give them the courage to face the situation. The authorities should set up special organizations to support victims mentally and legally so they don’t think it’s the end of the world. Legal authorities should avoid victim blaming and rather ensure fair justice systems for victims.
Conclusively, online shaming is not only a crime but also a venom that wrecks the lives of many people. We must collectively create an environment that supports the victim to fight against such heartless individuals courageously. When the viewers begin to show concern for the victims, and subsequently stop consuming such content, the perpetrator will be discouraged to continue with their malicious actions.
This blog is authored by Mwesigwa Allan, the 3rd place winner of the Digital Ambassador Program ‘Kalamu za Kidigitali’ Blog Competition, and edited by our dedicated team at Pollicy.
Pollicy established the Digital Ambassador Program (DAP) to empower youth with digital resilience skills on safety and security especially women in higher learning institutions.
The Digital Ambassador Program is proud to collaborate with The LaunchPad Tanzania, Tanzania AI Lab & Community, Uganda Institute of Information and Communications Technology, Centre for Technology Disputes Resolution, Internet Society Uganda Chapter, and Civil Rights Defenders.
