Ever found yourself lost in the daily whirlwind of X formerly Twitter? Well, so have I. However, amid the usual banter and memes, there is a disquieting trend that cannot be ignored. Non-consensual intimate image abuse NCII has sadly become an all-too-common sight on social media platforms. NCII is a global problem but it is particularly on the rise in low- and middle-income countries.
As these countries become increasingly digitised, their citizens are increasingly at risk of either experiencing NCII directly or being exposed to it. I sat down with her to learn more. Question : How often are intimate images of women and vulnerable groups shared online without consent in Nigeria? Tope : There are no national statistics available on this topic.
In focus group discussions, seven out of ten girls shared personal experiences of NCII or knew someone who had experienced it, indicating it is very common. Perpetrators are often ex-partners who obtained the intimate images during their previous relationships. In addition to them being targets of abuse, they may also lack awareness about privacy risks and technical skills, which increases the risks they face.
Additionally, the draft Regulation on Internet Intermediaries mandates platforms to remove non-consensual sexual images within 48 hours of upload. The public also often condemns the survivors due to the widespread belief that they consented to the picture being taken or shared. All these factors make people hesitant to seek justice. Tope : We TechSocietal do not focus on any specific platform. We just strive to keep women safe across all digital platforms.
NCII is more prevalent on social media platforms, messaging applications and in-app chats than on streaming platforms where it is nearly impossible.
