Beware of Morphing: Protect Yourself from Digital Image Manipulation

Morphing, the digital alteration or changing of a person's image using online tools, has become a prevalent form of cybercrime. Online criminals often target young girls and women, misusing their publicly shared photographs by altering them for malicious purposes. These morphed images are then exploited for blackmail, creating fake profiles, sexting, sex chats, and even producing pornographic content.

Why Should We Be Concerned?

Morphing can severely damage your online reputation and cause emotional trauma. Victims of morphing are susceptible to threats and blackmail, leading to a profound sense of vulnerability and distress. It is crucial to be aware of the risks and take measures to safeguard oneself against such offenses.

How to Safeguard Against Morphing:

1. Enable Security and Privacy Features: Ensure your social media accounts have robust security settings to control who can view your profile and photos.
2. Limit Sharing Personal Pictures Publicly: Avoid posting personal images on social media platforms where they can be easily accessed and misused.
3. Use Watermarks: When sharing pictures online, use watermarks to deter unauthorized use.
4. Implement Strong Security Measures: Use two-factor authentication and strong, unique passwords for all social media accounts.
5. Preserve Evidence: If you become a victim, save screenshots and any other evidence that might be needed for reporting the incident.

What to Do If You Are Affected:

1. Report to Authorities: File a complaint at your nearest cybercrime police station. You can also register an online complaint anonymously at cybercrime.gov.in.
2. Notify Social Media Platforms: Report the fake profiles or objectionable posts to the help center of the respective social media platform.
3. Seek Support: Reach out to trusted family and friends for emotional and practical support. You are not alone.

Legal Recourse:

Several legal provisions can be invoked if you are a victim of morphing:

• The Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000 (Amended 2008):

  • Section 66E: Violation of privacy can result in imprisonment for up to three years or a fine up to two lakh rupees, or both.
  • Section 67: Publishing or transmitting obscene material can lead to imprisonment up to three years and a fine of five lakh rupees for the first conviction.
  • Section 67A: For publishing sexually explicit material, imprisonment can extend up to five years and a fine up to ten lakh rupees.
  • Section 67B: Depicting children in sexually explicit acts can result in imprisonment up to five years and a fine up to ten lakh rupees.

• Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, 2012:

  • Section 14 and 15: Using a child for pornographic purposes or storing pornographic material involving a child is punishable with imprisonment up to five years.

• Indian Penal Code:

  • Section 354D: Stalking, including monitoring a woman's online activities, can lead to imprisonment up to three years.
  • Section 463, 465, and 471: Forgery and use of forged documents can result in imprisonment up to two years.
  • Section 509: Insulting the modesty of a woman can lead to imprisonment up to one year.
  • Section 499 and 500: Defamation can result in imprisonment up to two years.

Understanding these laws can empower victims to seek justice and ensure perpetrators are held accountable.