Stolen Moments, Shattered Privacy: The Dark Side of Public Content Creation Targeting Women

Bangalore | India: In an alarming trend that’s gaining momentum across Indian cities, content creators and social media users are increasingly filming and photographing women and girls in public spaces — without their knowledge or consent. From metros, footpaths, and buses to cafes and shopping centers, women are becoming unwilling subjects in short-form videos and viral content. What’s Happening? Popular platforms like Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and TikTok (via VPNs) are flooded with content titled: “Girl in metro looks like celebrity” “Caught this beauty on the street” “Random girl in café 😍” These videos often get millions of views, using unblurred faces and suggestive captions, objectifying women in the name of "aesthetic content" or “public interaction”. ❌ No Consent. No Ethics. No Privacy. Most of these women are unaware they were being filmed. Many only discover their presence in a viral video after friends or family members alert them. One college student from Bengaluru Metro said: “I was on the Purple Line heading to college. Someone took a zoomed-in video of me reading a book. It had over 40,000 likes before I even knew. My face was clear. I felt exposed.” ⚖️ Is It Legal? Not exactly. According to Section 354C IPC (Voyeurism) and Section 66E of the IT Act, capturing or sharing images of private acts or personal space without consent is punishable. Even in public, using a woman’s image for personal or commercial use without permission may be grounds for legal action. Cybercrime experts say many creators hide behind “public space” loopholes, but courts are increasingly recognizing the right to informational privacy, even in public. The Social Media Trap: Creators deliberately film women with attractive thumbnails and titles to game the algorithm, monetizing views while compromising someone else's dignity. This trend is now visible in: Delhi Metro viral clips, Bengaluru café footage, Chennai street style vlogs, Mumbai gym encounters, Platforms have policies on "non-consensual content", but enforcement is slow and inconsistent. Voices of Concern National Commission for Women (NCW) has received increasing complaints on this matter. Activists call for stricter enforcement and public awareness campaigns. NGOs are demanding a mandatory consent law for posting any individual’s face on social platforms. What Can Be Done? Women should report such videos to platforms immediately and file a cybercrime complaint via cybercrime.gov.in. Content creators should face fines or bans for repeated privacy violations. Platforms must auto-detect and blur faces of individuals unless verified consent is uploaded. Conclusion Content without consent is not art — it is exploitation. While India celebrates digital creativity, it must balance freedom of expression with the right to privacy, especially for women navigating public spaces already rife with judgement and surveillance. Until stronger guardrails are in place, one thing is clear: views cannot come at the cost of someone’s dignity.