Photo Viral on Internet: Think, how would it feel like an old private picture or video that you never made public, suddenly go viral on social media? Something similar experienced to a female lawyer who filed a petition in the Madras High Court. It was alleged that a former college partner had secretly recorded his video, which has now spread on the Internet and social media.
Justice N. Anand Venkatesh, while hearing the case, made emotional comments “If she had been my daughter?” He considered it a serious cyber crime and ordered the central government to remove objectionable material within 48 hours. At the same time, Tamil Nadu Police also asked for strict action in such cases. This incident suggests how insecure privacy has become in the digital era. But if something like this happens to you, do not panic. By taking some important steps, you can regain control over your data.
What to do if your personal material is leaked?
First contact the source
If your photos or videos are seen on a website or platform, then contact the owner or uploader of that website directly. For this, information about the website owner can be found from the Whois Tool. Keep your point in peace and clear language.
Use in-platform reporting
There is an option of reporting on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X (Twitter). From there, complaints can be made due to reasons like “fake identity”, “pornographic material” or “oppression”.
Take technical assistance
If there is no response, global organizations like ‘Report Harmful Content’ can give you guidance and help. A complaint can also be lodged in India on cybercrime.gov.in portal. According to Tushar Sharma, co-founder of Tofe institution, under the IT Rules 2021 and the revised Rule 2023, it is mandatory to keep all social media platforms to complain officers who accept your complaint in 24 hours and give solutions in 15 days.
What else to do to get your content removed from the Internet?
Google Removals Tool
From Google you can demand that they remove your objectionable pictures or videos from the search result. For this, a form has to be filled in which it is necessary to give links and screenshots.
Google Removal Form
> Note: Google only removes material from the search result, not from the whole website.
DMCA notice
If any of your photos/videos are under copyright, then you can remove DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) and get it removed.
Safe tools that can help you
Take It Down
This tool operated by the meta is especially to remove the intimate material of minors from the Internet. In this, you do not have to upload the picture – only its hash (digital fingerprint) is made.
StopNCII.org
It is an international tool that helps in removing intimate photos shared without consent. You can register the case by remaining anonymity and pictures can be removed from the partner platforms.
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