Digital Victimization In India: A Legal Study
- IJLLR Journal
- Mar 28, 2025
- 2 min read
Himalay Gaund, Research Scholar, Department of Law, School of Legal Studies, BBAU, Lucknow.
Introduction
The arrival of digital technology has transformed communication, business, education, and practically every area of contemporary life. India, experiencing rapid internet penetration and a flourishing digital ecosystem, has seen its very fabric change the way information flows and is consumed. Nevertheless, this digital revolution comes with its share of issues. With greater dependence on web-based technologies, a dark underbelly has resulted in the form of digital victimization through which victims are becoming easy prey for cybercrimes like cyberbullying, identity theft, online fraud, cyberstalking, and numerous other misuses of data. This article penetrates deep into the reality of digital victimization in India, its manifestations, current legal framework, enforcement challenges, and suggestions for future development.
India's digital journey started slowly but has taken a fast pace in the last two decades. The passage of the Information Technology (IT) Act in 2000 was a milestone moment that indicated the government's intention to regulate and protect the digital space. Through initiatives like Digital India, the country has seen a rapid growth in internet penetration, and digital platforms have become an integral part of daily life.1
But this expansion has also brought more digital crimes. With millions of Indians going online, the risk of cybercrimes has multiplied manifold. This expansion of digital activity, accompanied at times by limited digital knowledge and infrastructural issues, has placed the challenge of fighting digital victimization on the highest policy and law enforcement agenda.
Defining Digital Victimization
Digital victimization is any type of psychological, financial, or reputational damage that a person incurs as a consequence of digital or online behavior. While conventional crimes tend to leave visible marks, digital crimes can be subtle and extensive. Victims can suffer long-term emotional trauma, financial loss, or even social exclusion as a result of cyber-attacks, fraud, or unauthorized sharing of personal information.2
