How to Remove Obscene Videos from the Internet

If you are a victim of non-consensual distribution of obscene videos on the internet, you may be wondering how to get them removed as soon as possible. In this blog post, we will explain the legal provisions and steps that can help you in this situation.

What is an obscene video?

According to the Indian Penal Code (IPC), an obscene video is any video that is “lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or if its effect, or (where it comprises two or more distinct items) the effect of any one of its items, is, if taken as a whole, such as to tend to deprave and corrupt persons who are likely, having regard to all relevant circumstances, to read, see or hear the matter contained or embodied in it.”

In simpler terms, an obscene video is any video that shows sexual acts or nudity in a way that can corrupt the morals of the viewers.

What are the legal provisions for removing obscene videos from the internet?

Under the Information Technology Act (IT Act), three provisions namely Section 66E, 67, and 67-A could help someone to remove personal or obscene images or videos from the internet upon a complaint made to the cyber cell or local police station in case there is no cyber cell.

Section 66E of the IT Act punishes anyone who intentionally or knowingly captures, publishes or transmits the image of a private area of any person without his or her consent. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment up to three years and fine up to two lakh rupees.

Section 67 of the IT Act punishes anyone who publishes or transmits any material which is lascivious or appeals to the prurient interest or tends to deprave and corrupt persons. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment up to five years and fine up to ten lakh rupees for first conviction and imprisonment up to seven years and fine up to ten lakh rupees for subsequent conviction.

Section 67-A of the IT Act punishes anyone who publishes or transmits any material which contains sexually explicit act or conduct. The punishment for this offence is imprisonment up to seven years and fine up to ten lakh rupees for first conviction and imprisonment up to ten years and fine up to twenty lakh rupees for subsequent conviction.

What are the steps to remove obscene videos from the internet?

If you are a victim of non-consensual distribution of obscene videos on the internet, you can take the following steps:

• Identify the source of the video. You can use tools like Google Reverse Image Search or TinEye to find out where the video was originally uploaded or shared.
• Report the video to the website or platform where it is hosted. Most websites and platforms have policies and mechanisms to remove illegal or harmful content. You can find out how to report such content on their respective websites. For example, you can report non-consensual explicit or intimate personal images from Google Search results by following this link.
• File a complaint with the cyber cell or local police station. You can provide them with details like your name, address, contact number, email id, URL of the video, screenshots of the video, date and time of uploading or sharing, etc. You can also attach any evidence that proves your identity and consent (or lack thereof) in relation to the video. You can request them to take action against the offender under the relevant sections of the IT Act and IPC.
• Seek legal advice and assistance. You can consult a lawyer who specializes in cyber law and privacy issues. You can also seek help from NGOs or organizations that work for victims of cyber crimes. They can guide you through the legal process and provide you with emotional support.

Conclusion

Non-consensual distribution of obscene videos on the internet is a serious violation of privacy and dignity. It can cause immense harm and distress to the victims. However, there are legal provisions and steps that can help them in removing such videos from the internet and seeking justice against the offenders. If you are a victim of such a crime, do not hesitate to take action and seek help.

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