Cyber Harassment
Cyber Harassment or Cyber Bullying is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyberbullying and cyber harassment are also known as online bullying. It has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, as the digital sphere has expanded and technology has advanced.
Cyber Harassment
Cyber Harassment or Cyber Bullying is a form of bullying or harassment using electronic means. Cyberbullying and cyber harassment are also known as online bullying. It has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers, as the digital sphere has expanded and technology has advanced.
Impersonation
Obtaining, selling, possessing, transmitting or using another person’s identity information without authorization to harm them or someone else.
Cyber sexual Abuse
Cultivating, enticing or inducing a person to engage in a sexually explicit act, through an information system (online) to harm a person, or to take revenge.
Doxing
Publishing incorrect information (including photographs or videos of any person) with an intention to discredit them, harm or harass them.
Cat-fishing
Creating a fictitious identity for the purpose of starting a relationship or exploit another individual. It is common in the realm of online dating.
Impersonation
Obtaining, selling, possessing, transmitting or using another person’s identity information without authorization to harm them or someone else.
Cyber sexual Abuse
Cultivating, enticing or inducing a person to engage in a sexually explicit act, through an information system (online) to harm a person, or to take revenge.
Doxing
Publishing incorrect information (including photographs or videos of any person) with an intention to discredit them, harm or harass them.
Cat-fishing
Creating a fictitious identity for the purpose of starting a relationship or exploit another individual. It is common in the realm of online dating.
Complaints were received by Digital Rights Foundation’s (DRF) Cyber Harassment Helpline during July, 2020.
212 cyber harassment complaints have been received by Digital Rights Foundation every month in 2020
(on an average).
Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016
Section 16: Unauthorized Use of Identity Information
(1) Whoever obtains, sells, possesses, transmits or uses another person’s identity information without authorization shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to five million rupees, or with both. (2) Any person whose identity information is obtained, sold, possessed, used or transmitted may apply to the Authority for securing, destroying, blocking access or preventing transmission of identity information referred to in sub-section (1) and the Authority on receipt of such application may take such measures as deemed appropriate for securing, destroying or preventing transmission of such identity information.
Section 18: Offences against Dignity of a Person
Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information through any information system, which he knows to be false, and intimidates or harms the reputation or privacy of a natural person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both
Section 21: Offences against Modesty of a Natural Person and Minor
Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information which, (a) superimposes a photograph of the face of a natural person over any sexually explicit image or video; or (b) includes a photograph or a video of a natural person in sexually explicit conduct; or (c) intimidates a natural person with any sexual act, or any sexually explicit image or video of a natural person; or (d) cultivates, entices or induces a natural person to engage in a sexually explicit act, through an information system to harm a natural person or his reputation, or to take revenge, or to create hatred or to blackmail, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine which may extend to five million rupees or with both.
Section 24: Cyber Stalking
A person commits the offence of cyber stalking who, with the intent to coerce or intimidate or harass any person, uses information system, information system network, the Internet, website, electronic mail or any other similar means of communication to, (a) follow a person or contacts or attempts to contact such person to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by such person; (b) monitor the use by a person of the internet, electronic mail, text message or any other form of electronic communication; (c) watch or spy upon a person in a manner that results in fear of violence or serious alarm or distress, in the mind of such person; or (d) take a photograph or make a video of any person and displays or distributes it without his consent in a manner that harms a person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both.
Complaints were received by Digital Rights Foundation’s (DRF) Cyber Harassment Helpline during July, 2020.
212 cyber harassment complaints have been received by Digital Rights Foundation every month in 2020 (on an average).
Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act, 2016
Section 16: Unauthorized Use of Identity Information
(1) Whoever obtains, sells, possesses, transmits or uses another person’s identity information without authorization shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to five million rupees, or with both. (2) Any person whose identity information is obtained, sold, possessed, used or transmitted may apply to the Authority for securing, destroying, blocking access or preventing transmission of identity information referred to in sub-section (1) and the Authority on receipt of such application may take such measures as deemed appropriate for securing, destroying or preventing transmission of such identity information.
Section 18: Offences against Dignity of a Person
Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information through any information system, which he knows to be false, and intimidates or harms the reputation or privacy of a natural person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both
Section 21: Offences against Modesty of a Natural Person and Minor
Whoever intentionally and publicly exhibits or displays or transmits any information which, (a) superimposes a photograph of the face of a natural person over any sexually explicit image or video; or (b) includes a photograph or a video of a natural person in sexually explicit conduct; or (c) intimidates a natural person with any sexual act, or any sexually explicit image or video of a natural person; or (d) cultivates, entices or induces a natural person to engage in a sexually explicit act, through an information system to harm a natural person or his reputation, or to take revenge, or to create hatred or to blackmail, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to five years or with fine which may extend to five million rupees or with both.
Section 24: Cyber Stalking
A person commits the offence of cyber stalking who, with the intent to coerce or intimidate or harass any person, uses information system, information system network, the Internet, website, electronic mail or any other similar means of communication to, (a) follow a person or contacts or attempts to contact such person to foster personal interaction repeatedly despite a clear indication of disinterest by such person; (b) monitor the use by a person of the internet, electronic mail, text message or any other form of electronic communication; (c) watch or spy upon a person in a manner that results in fear of violence or serious alarm or distress, in the mind of such person; or (d) take a photograph or make a video of any person and displays or distributes it without his consent in a manner that harms a person, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one million rupees or with both.
How to Report Cyber Harassment in Pakistan?
Collect evidence (emails, messages or screenshots) to establish the authenticity of the Cyber Harassment
or cyberbullying.
Call the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Helpline to find out about your local FIA office to report Cyber Crime.
Draft your application detailing the crime and all other details addressing the Deputy Director Investigations, (FIA).
Don’t forget to take the picture of the submitted application for record keeping and inquire about the follow-up.
Be vigilant and make sure to do constant follow ups with your local Federal Investigation Agency Office.
Visit the FIA office to submit
your application or submit it online (fia.gov.pk). Please take along your CNIC.
Collect evidence (emails, messages or screenshots) to establish the authenticity of the Cyber Harassment
or cyberbullying.
Call the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) Helpline to find out about your local FIA office to report Cyber Crime.
Draft your application detailing the crime and all other details addressing the Deputy Director Investigations, (FIA).
Don’t forget to take the picture of the submitted application for record keeping and inquire about the follow-up.
Be vigilant and make sure to do constant follow ups with your local Federal Investigation Agency Office.
Visit the FIA office to submit
your application or submit it online (fia.gov.pk). Please take along your CNIC.
