NEW DELHI: A mechanism set up by the government in July 2016 to check online trolling and stalking has received only 60 complaints on Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Instagram. This highlights the poor efforts by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (WCD) to adhere to women safety. This information comes on the backdrop of the large-scale outrage over the DU student Gurmehar Kaur episode.
Minister Maneka Gandhi had in July set a cyber cell under a Joint Secretary-level officer to address issues related to online abuse against women. A separate email Id was also created whereby women facing online threat and abuse can complain to the ministry and which in turn will take it up with all social media platform.
According to the ministry, 60 complaints have been received against online stalking, abuse on social media platforms.
“Of the 60 complaints, 27 were related to Facebook, 17 to Twitter while the rest came from other online platforms. Actionable complaints are sent to the concerned authorities for appropriate action,” said a senior ministry official.
The official added that not many women are aware of the cell and the ministry cannot take any action until a victim complains. Similar is the case with DU student Gurmehar Kaur who was trolled and given rape threats for raising her voice against violence in Ramjas College. But the ministry cannot take any action until they receive an official complaint.
There are also plans to launch an ‘I am Trolled’ app to check online abuse. The ministry has also held a meeting with Twitter team India to examine issues related to abuse, harassment and hateful conduct on Twitter. After receiving a complaint, the ministry asks the complainant to first report the offense to the concerned social media platform or police and share the auto-generated complaint number for future reference.
“If the social media platform or the police fail to respond to the complaint within seven days, then the Ministry intervenes, asking for an Action Taken Report from the concerned authorities,” the official added.