NON-CONSENSUAL INTIMATE IMAGE ABUSE AND THE LIMITS OF LAW: GENDER, TECHNOLOGY, AND REGULATION IN INDIA

AUTHOR – KHUSHI AWANA, STUDENT AT AMITY LAW SCHOOL, AMITY UNIVERSITY NOIDA

BEST CITATION – KHUSHI AWANA, NON-CONSENSUAL INTIMATE IMAGE ABUSE AND THE LIMITS OF LAW: GENDER, TECHNOLOGY, AND REGULATION IN INDIA, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (8) OF 2026, PG. 272-280, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344.

ABSTRACT

The increasing adoption of digital technologies has resulted in the creation of new ways through which people’s privacy can be violated, and one such way is known as Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (NCIIA), which has come to prominence as an emerging threat. This essay explores what NCIIA means and its implications in India, viewing it as a complex form of digital sexual assault that goes well beyond the simplistic notion of “revenge pornography.” It also discusses the different aspects of NCIIA, such as non-consensual sharing, surreptitious filming, manipulation, and threats, with consent being a key aspect.

Moreover, the study goes further to look at the gender-based dimensions of NCIIA, considering that the deeply rooted norms of patriarchy and society’s attitude affect women and marginalized groups more. The paper analyses the psychosocial and economic impacts on the victimized individuals, emphasizing the lasting impact brought about by digital media’s permanency and viral nature.

Moreover, the paper evaluates the current efforts made by governments through various policies, such as reports, capacity building, cybercrime strategies, and the impact of digital intermediaries in moderating online content and preventing cybercrimes. Despite the developments that have been made, the paper notes several shortcomings.

In conclusion, the paper emphasizes the need for an inclusive and holistic strategy that involves legal measures, technology accountability, digital literacy, and social change in order to ensure that NCIIA is properly handled and that people’s dignity and autonomy are maintained.

Keywords: Non-Consensual Intimate Image Abuse (NCIIA); Digital Sexual Violence; Privacy and Autonomy; Gender-Based Violence; Cyber Law; Intermediary Liability; Psychological