Case Study 1: Pakistan – Online Harassment of Women in Pakistan
Abeera, a 14-year-old girl residing in Pakistan, fell victim to non-consensual sharing of intimate images in 2012. Over the span of eight years, she endured severe psychological distress and daily torment because of blackmail and harassment. This case study explores the ordeal Abeera has had to undergo because of the continuous inaction of a tech giant and law enforcement agencies (Digital Rights Foundation, 2019).
In 2012, Abeera’s relationship with her ex-boyfriend, Ahmed, came to an end in a hostile manner. The following year, Abeera found out that a nude photo she had sent to her ex-boyfriend had been circulated on BBM and various other social media platforms (Refinery29, 2015,). Since the age of fourteen, Abeera has been a target of cyberbullying and harassment, receiving messages from unidentified individuals informing her that her private photos had been shared online. In 2017, Abeera reached out to the Cyber Harassment Helpline of the Digital Rights Foundation when her intimate images were posted on a cloud storage service called Dropbox along with those of hundreds of other girls from different parts of Pakistan. She sought assistance by sharing the Dropbox link on a Facebook group, and an administrator successfully removed the link within a few hours (Los Angeles Times, 2016). Nevertheless, the link resurfaced a few days later, leading to Abeera receiving messages from strangers questioning and confirming her identity.
In Pakistan, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) addresses cybercrimes, including unauthorized distribution of sexually explicit content. Section 21 of PECA criminalizes the sharing, capturing, or distribution of intimate images without consent. This case involves violations of PPC Sections 384 and 385 for extortion and threatening for extortion, and Section 500 for defamation, as Abeera’s reputation is affected due to shared images (Government of Pakistan. (2021).
Dropbox’s Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) aims to curb harmful content, but its ambiguities and slow response in cases like Abeera’s highlight critical shortcomings. This further complicates matters and highlights the need for a legal framework between Pakistan and the US to address effective takedowns, emphasizing the need for international collaboration and improved legal mechanisms to tackle online harassment across borders. This case underscores the importance of clear AUPs, and swift intervention to protect users from online harm (Los Angeles Times, 2016), (Velez, M. (n.d)), (Digital Rights Foundation, 2019).
Abeera’s life was devastated when her privacy was violated through non-consensual picture sharing, resulting in prolonged cyberbullying, slut-shaming, and threats of physical harm. The resulting trauma compelled her to disengage from social media, change her phone number, and ultimately withdraw from school. Despite these challenges, Abeera is now focused on rebuilding her life, pursuing her studies, and advocating for individuals who are experiencing similar forms of abuse. She emphasizes the importance of providing support to victims of online harassment.
Critical analytical perspectives on this case study
Abeera’s case underscores the importance of prompt response mechanisms and strong protections to shield children from online abuse. Dropbox’s reaction was troubling, and the victims encountered obstacles due to the ineffective reporting system. The school’s lack of emotional support and disclosure exacerbated the victims’ suffering. The societal tendency to blame victims emphasizes the necessity for a change in societal attitudes. The international aspect of the case poses additional challenges, as the victims struggled to seek assistance from a US-based company while in Pakistan. Safeguarding children from exposure to harmful content is a critical priority, and technology firms must act swiftly and decisively in addressing online abuse of minors. (Dropbox, Inc. (n.d.)).
Conclusion
In conclusion, Abeera’s case highlights the urgent need for comprehensive solutions to non-consensual image sharing, emphasizing collaboration between tech giants, law enforcement, and society to address cyber harassment and gendered abuse affecting not just her but numerous other girls all over Pakistan.
Case Study 2: Gaza Internet Shutdown: A Breach of Fundamental Human Rights
The Israeli occupation casts a long shadow over Palestinians’ digital landscape, systematically violating their fundamental rights to communication, privacy, and expression. Restrictions on Internet access, particularly evident in Gaza, where shutdowns plunge millions into offline isolation, impede crucial communication within and beyond the territory. This stifles cries for help, silences vital news reports, and leaves Palestinians vulnerable to misinformation. Such tactics empower the occupation to operate with impunity, further fueling anxieties about escalating human rights violations (SMEX, 2023).
Since October 9, 2023, the complete Internet blackout in Gaza has plunged over two million people into a digital abyss, stripping them of their fundamental human rights. This deliberate disconnection is not just a technical inconvenience but a brutal assault on freedom of expression, access to information, and the fabric of life in a world increasingly reliant on communication (Burgess & Newman, 2023).
Gaza’s Internet infrastructure had been heavily damaged by Israeli airstrikes, disrupting connectivity and essential communication channels. Key infrastructure like buildings housing Paltel and AlfaNet equipment had been destroyed, while cables and poles were severely damaged. This resulted in blackouts impacting 83% of fixed-line users and 50% of fiber optic lines, leaving Gazans struggling to stay connected with family, access news, and coordinate amidst the ongoing crisis. The blackout further exacerbates the humanitarian disaster unfolding in Gaza (Burgess, M. 2023).
Occupation forces monitor Gazans’ social media activities like hungry hawks, detaining and arresting individuals based on their online expressions. Since October 7, 2023, over 161 Palestinians have been silenced for their digital voices (SMEX, 2023). ARTICLE 1, an International Human Rights Organization, explicitly asserts the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this chilling censorship undermines the right to free expression, the lifeblood of a healthy democracy (Brecorder, 2023).
The Internet blackout in Gaza inflicts a devastating double blow, crippling both individual rights and vital services. It severs access to information, silencing voices, hindering education, and suffocating civil society. Simultaneously, it crushes the fragile economy, destroying livelihoods, deepening poverty, and jeopardizing healthcare access. This digital siege violates fundamental rights, from freedom of expression to health and education, pushing Gazans into a humanitarian crisis and demanding urgent action (SMEX, 2023).
This Internet shutdown in Gaza is not an isolated incident but a symptom of a more significant global trend of weaponizing cyberspace in conflict zones. Access Now reported 187 internet shutdowns in 35 countries in 2022 alone, highlighting the urgency of safeguarding digital rights in times of tension (Rosson, Z. 2023).
Amidst escalating violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, ARTICLE 19 emphasizes the urgency of a ceasefire and adherence to International law in Gaza, condemning the ongoing suppression of free expression and calling for immediate protection of this fundamental right for all parties involved. The digital rights of Palestinians are under attack, exposing their susceptibility in the digital age. Their voices are choked, their stories muffled, and their access to the global conversation severely curtailed. The urgent need for international intervention to safeguard these fundamental freedoms and dismantle the digital walls erected by the occupation cannot be overstated. Palestinian voices deserve to be heard, their stories shared, and their digital rights protected (SMEX, 2023).
Written by Rida Ashfaq, Hamza Ahmed, and Fahad Malik (Edited by Nimrah Perveen, Paolo Miguel Ordonio, Yukako Ban, Ming Thet Paing)