UN’s 25 Nov Message: Digital Spaces Must Not Become Grounds for Violence

On 25 November 2025, the United Nations office in India released a strong and urgent appeal calling on the country to completely rethink how it handles digital gender-based violence, a form of abuse that has rapidly become one of the most widespread threats faced by Indian women.

The UN emphasised that as smartphones and AI-driven tools become more accessible, offenders now have faster, cheaper, and more anonymous ways to target women , often causing irreversible psychological harm within minutes. Their report detailed cases of deepfake pornography, impersonation, non-consensual sharing of private images, and cyberstalking, stressing that many of these crimes still fall into grey areas of Indian law.

The UN urged lawmakers to introduce updated legislation that explicitly recognises these offences, ensures strict penalties, and requires technology companies to take responsibility for rapid removal and reporting. They also highlighted the need for survivor-centred systems: mental-health support, legal aid, and cyber-crime cells equipped with trained personnel. The message resonated across social media, where thousands of women shared their own experiences and frustrations over how slowly cases move. On this 25 November, the UN’s appeal served as a reminder that violence in the digital world is real violence , and ignoring it only widens the gap between technology and safety.