The legal framework
Section 66E of the IT Act criminalises capturing or publishing images of a private area without consent, and sections 67 and 67A cover obscene and sexually explicit transmission. The Information Technology Rules of 2021 require intermediaries to remove content showing an individual in a state of nudity or a sexual act, including impersonation and morphed images, within 24 hours of a complaint.
Key points
| IT Act | Section 66E: violation of privacy by capturing or publishing private images |
|---|---|
| Criminal law | Voyeurism and stalking offences under the penal code |
| IT Rules 2021 | 24-hour removal duty for intimate or morphed images |
| Grievance officer | Every platform must publish one, with defined response times |
| Reporting | National cybercrime portal, with an anonymous option for women and children |
| Deepfakes | Covered through impersonation and morphed-image provisions of the Rules |
| Grievance appellate committee | Can override a platform's refusal to remove |
| Proactive duty | Platforms must use measures to prevent re-upload of removed intimate content |
| Anonymous reporting | Available for women and children on the national portal |
In practice
- Save the evidence before reporting: screenshots with the URL and date, the account name, and any messages.
- Use the platform's own reporting form first — it is the fastest route to removal — then report to the authority.
- Use StopNCII.org or Take It Down for intimate images: they create a digital fingerprint so participating platforms can block re-uploads without you sending the image anywhere.
- Do not pay a person demanding money to delete an image: payment almost always leads to further demands.
- Escalate to the grievance appellate committee if the platform refuses: it is free.
Where to go
- cybercrime.gov.in, with a dedicated women and children reporting channel.
- Helpline 1930 for cyber financial and related crime.
- Local cyber police station.
Worth knowing
The 24-hour rule is enforceable against the platform even before any police action: quote it explicitly in your complaint to the grievance officer. The obligation to prevent re-upload is explicit in the rules. Cite it when content reappears after removal.
Official sources and links
- India.gov.in — national portal of India
- India Code — central and state legislation