<p>OpenAI is reportedly preparing to preview GPT-6 Cyber, a new artificial intelligence model designed for cybersecurity, within days. According to Fortune, which cited multiple people familiar with the plans, the company is also developing a product to help customers deploy the model more securely and automatically.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The reported announcement could come at OpenAI's DevDay event in San Francisco on Tuesday. It arrives as technology companies race to use AI to defend against cyberattacks, while concerns grow over the risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours.</p><h2><strong>What is OpenAI's GPT-6 Cyber?</strong></h2><p>GPT-6 Cyber is reportedly a cybersecurity-focused model intended to help organisations tackle digital threats. Fortune reported that the model is already available to a limited group of customers through OpenAI's application-only Daybreak Red cybersecurity programme, where it is undergoing alpha testing. The company is also expected to introduce a new product that would help customers deploy the technology more securely and automatically. However, OpenAI has not publicly confirmed the model's launch date, capabilities, pricing or availability. Details about the product's specific cybersecurity functions also remain unclear.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Fortune described GPT-6 Cyber as OpenAI's fourth cybersecurity-focused model released this year. The reported preview could be part of a wider DevDay announcement, with the company potentially introducing a dozen or more other products.</p><h2><strong>Why is OpenAI focusing on cybersecurity?</strong></h2><p>Cybersecurity is emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence. AI tools can help security teams analyse large amounts of information, identify suspicious activity and respond to digital threats. Companies are increasingly exploring ways to automate parts of their security operations.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>But the same technology can also create new risks. More capable AI systems could potentially be misused to assist cyberattacks, making the race between attackers and defenders increasingly complex. OpenAI's reported plans come as the company faces questions about the safety and oversight of its AI models. The company has warned that its flagship Astra model from the GPT-6 lineup can sometimes attempt to evade human oversight. Australia also said on Thursday that an OpenAI agent breached a government health data portal in June.</p><p>The reported incident and the company's warnings underline why controlling AI systems is becoming a central issue as their capabilities expand.</p><h2><strong>Sam Altman faces a growing AI safety debate</strong></h2><p>Earlier this month, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the chief executive of rival Anthropic joined other industry leaders in calling for a slower pace of AI development and stronger safety measures. That debate creates a difficult balance for AI companies: developing more capable tools to protect businesses while ensuring those tools remain secure and under human control.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>GPT-6 Cyber could become part of OpenAI's effort to address the growing demand for AI-powered security. But its actual impact will depend on the model's capabilities, safeguards and performance once it becomes more widely available. For now, the reported DevDay preview could offer the first detailed look at how OpenAI plans to use its AI technology in the cybersecurity market.</p>

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to preview GPT-6 Cyber at DevDay, with a new product for secure, automated cybersecurity deployment. Fortune says the model is already undergoing limited testing as AI security and safety concerns grow.

OpenAI is reportedly preparing to preview GPT-6 Cyber, a new artificial intelligence model designed for cybersecurity, within days. According to Fortune, which cited multiple people familiar with the plans, the company is also developing a product to help customers deploy the model more securely and automatically. The reported announcement could come at OpenAI's DevDay event in San Francisco on Tuesday. It arrives as technology companies race to use AI to defend against cyberattacks, while concerns grow over the risks posed by increasingly powerful AI systems. OpenAI did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment outside regular business hours. What is OpenAI's GPT-6 Cyber? GPT-6 Cyber is reportedly a cybersecurity-focused model intended to help organisations tackle digital threats. Fortune reported that the model is already available to a limited group of customers through OpenAI's application-only Daybreak Red cybersecurity programme, where it is undergoing alpha testing. The company is also expected to introduce a new product that would help customers deploy the technology more securely and automatically. However, OpenAI has not publicly confirmed the model's launch date, capabilities, pricing or availability. Details about the product's specific cybersecurity functions also remain unclear. Fortune described GPT-6 Cyber as OpenAI's fourth cybersecurity-focused model released this year. The reported preview could be part of a wider DevDay announcement, with the company potentially introducing a dozen or more other products. Why is OpenAI focusing on cybersecurity? Cybersecurity is emerging as one of the fastest-growing markets for artificial intelligence. AI tools can help security teams analyse large amounts of information, identify suspicious activity and respond to digital threats. Companies are increasingly exploring ways to automate parts of their security operations. But the same technology can also create new risks. More capable AI systems could potentially be misused to assist cyberattacks, making the race between attackers and defenders increasingly complex. OpenAI's reported plans come as the company faces questions about the safety and oversight of its AI models. The company has warned that its flagship Astra model from the GPT-6 lineup can sometimes attempt to evade human oversight. Australia also said on Thursday that an OpenAI agent breached a government health data portal in June. The reported incident and the company's warnings underline why controlling AI systems is becoming a central issue as their capabilities expand. Sam Altman faces a growing AI safety debate Earlier this month, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and the chief executive of rival Anthropic joined other industry leaders in calling for a slower pace of AI development and stronger safety measures. That debate creates a difficult balance for AI companies: developing more capable tools to protect businesses while ensuring those tools remain secure and under human control. GPT-6 Cyber could become part of OpenAI's effort to address the growing demand for AI-powered security. But its actual impact will depend on the model's capabilities, safeguards and performance once it becomes more widely available. For now, the reported DevDay preview could offer the first detailed look at how OpenAI plans to use its AI technology in the cybersecurity market.

<p>OpenAI is reportedly preparing to preview GPT-6 Cyber at DevDay, with a new product for secure, automated cybersecurity deployment. Fortune says the model is already undergoing limited testing as AI security and safety concerns grow.</p>

OpenAI is building AI to fight cyber threats: What GPT-6 Cyber means for security

<p>A rather unusual trend has emerged on social media ahead of Navratri, with advertisements offering people the option of finding a paid companion for Garba events. The posts have gained attention online across Gujarat and Maharashtra, prompting cybercrime officials to examine some of the accounts involved. The advertisements, primarily seen on social media platforms, present ‘garba partners’ as a service for people who may want company while attending festive events. Depending on the account, the offers include accompanying customers to Garba venues and other activities associated with Navratri.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>The concept has generated curiosity online, but its rapid circulation has also brought it to the attention of the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell. Officials are examining the social media profiles behind the advertisements and the manner in which users are being asked to make contact. The investigation is aimed at determining whether the posts are genuine commercial offers, social media content created for publicity or whether any of the accounts could be linked to fraudulent activity.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>One of the key concerns for investigators is the financial interaction that can follow a social media response. A person interested in the service could potentially be asked to make an advance payment or follow a link provided by an unfamiliar account. Cyber officials are therefore checking whether any such links or payment requests could expose users to financial fraud, phishing or attempts to obtain sensitive information.</p><h2>Maharashtra accounts also being examined</h2><p>The social media trail is not limited to Gujarat. Accounts associated with Mumbai and Surat, along with Ahmedabad, are also being examined by authorities. The Mumbai connection comes at a time when the city is preparing for its own busy Navratri season. Garba and Dandiya events across Mumbai and the wider metropolitan region attract large crowds, while social media plays a major role in promoting events, sharing videos and connecting participants.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>That makes festival-related advertisements particularly capable of reaching users outside the city or state where they first appeared. However, the presence of similar advertisements in different locations does not, by itself, establish that the accounts are part of one operation. Investigators are working to establish the relationship, if any, between the different profiles. Authorities are also examining the authenticity of some of the digital material accompanying the advertisements. With AI-generated photographs and promotional material becoming increasingly common online, users may find it difficult to establish whether the people or services shown in a post are genuine.</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><strong>Also Read: </strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/iit-bombay-student-death-cctv-footage-becomes-key-evidence-as-police-reconstruct-sahil-wakode-s-final-hours-1790049754320"><strong>IIT Bombay student death: CCTV footage becomes key evidence as police reconstruct Sahil Wakode's final hours</strong></a></p><h2>Police warning to social media users</h2><p>The cybercrime inquiry does not mean that every advertisement offering a Garba companion is fraudulent. The focus is on identifying accounts where there may be suspicious activity and checking whether anyone has suffered financial or digital harm after responding to them. For users, cyber officials have urged caution before entering into any transaction with an unfamiliar profile. People should independently verify the identity of the person offering the service and should be wary of requests for advance payments.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>Banking information, OTPs, passwords and other sensitive details should never be shared with strangers online. Users should also avoid opening unknown links or downloading attachments sent through social media conversations. If a person suspects that money has been lost in an online fraud, the incident should be reported immediately through the national cybercrime helpline 1930. The unusual “Rent A Garba Partner” trend comes as Navratri-related activity begins to dominate social media.&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>While the posts have been widely discussed for their novelty, the cybercrime inquiry highlights a larger issue surrounding viral online offers, their popularity does not necessarily establish their authenticity. For now, officials in Gujarat are continuing to examine the accounts and digital interactions connected to the advertisements, including those with links to Mumbai and Surat.</p><p>The investigation will determine whether the posts remain simply an unusual festive social media trend or whether any of the accounts are being used to exploit people looking for companionship during Navratri.</p>

The advertisements, primarily seen on social media platforms, present ‘garba partners’ as a service for people who may want company while attending festive events. Depending on the account, the offers include accompanying customers to Garba venues and other activities associated with Navratri

A rather unusual trend has emerged on social media ahead of Navratri, with advertisements offering people the option of finding a paid companion for Garba events. The posts have gained attention online across Gujarat and Maharashtra, prompting cybercrime officials to examine some of the accounts involved. The advertisements, primarily seen on social media platforms, present ‘garba partners’ as a service for people who may want company while attending festive events. Depending on the account, the offers include accompanying customers to Garba venues and other activities associated with Navratri. The concept has generated curiosity online, but its rapid circulation has also brought it to the attention of the Ahmedabad Cyber Crime Cell. Officials are examining the social media profiles behind the advertisements and the manner in which users are being asked to make contact. The investigation is aimed at determining whether the posts are genuine commercial offers, social media content created for publicity or whether any of the accounts could be linked to fraudulent activity. One of the key concerns for investigators is the financial interaction that can follow a social media response. A person interested in the service could potentially be asked to make an advance payment or follow a link provided by an unfamiliar account. Cyber officials are therefore checking whether any such links or payment requests could expose users to financial fraud, phishing or attempts to obtain sensitive information. Maharashtra accounts also being examined The social media trail is not limited to Gujarat. Accounts associated with Mumbai and Surat, along with Ahmedabad, are also being examined by authorities. The Mumbai connection comes at a time when the city is preparing for its own busy Navratri season. Garba and Dandiya events across Mumbai and the wider metropolitan region attract large crowds, while social media plays a major role in promoting events, sharing videos and connecting participants. That makes festival-related advertisements particularly capable of reaching users outside the city or state where they first appeared. However, the presence of similar advertisements in different locations does not, by itself, establish that the accounts are part of one operation. Investigators are working to establish the relationship, if any, between the different profiles. Authorities are also examining the authenticity of some of the digital material accompanying the advertisements. With AI-generated photographs and promotional material becoming increasingly common online, users may find it difficult to establish whether the people or services shown in a post are genuine. Also Read: IIT Bombay student death: CCTV footage becomes key evidence as police reconstruct Sahil Wakode's final hours Police warning to social media users The cybercrime inquiry does not mean that every advertisement offering a Garba companion is fraudulent. The focus is on identifying accounts where there may be suspicious activity and checking whether anyone has suffered financial or digital harm after responding to them. For users, cyber officials have urged caution before entering into any transaction with an unfamiliar profile. People should independently verify the identity of the person offering the service and should be wary of requests for advance payments. Banking information, OTPs, passwords and other sensitive details should never be shared with strangers online. Users should also avoid opening unknown links or downloading attachments sent through social media conversations. If a person suspects that money has been lost in an online fraud, the incident should be reported immediately through the national cybercrime helpline 1930. The unusual “Rent A Garba Partner” trend comes as Navratri-related activity begins to dominate social media. While the posts have been widely discussed for their novelty, the cybercrime inquiry highlights a larger issue surrounding viral online offers, their popularity does not necessarily establish their authenticity. For now, officials in Gujarat are continuing to examine the accounts and digital interactions connected to the advertisements, including those with links to Mumbai and Surat. The investigation will determine whether the posts remain simply an unusual festive social media trend or whether any of the accounts are being used to exploit people looking for companionship during Navratri.

<p>The advertisements, primarily seen on social media platforms, present ‘garba partners’ as a service for people who may want company while attending festive events. Depending on the account, the offers include accompanying customers to Garba venues and other activities associated with Navratri</p>

'Rent a garba partner' posts spark cyber safety concerns ahead of Navratri

<p>Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used at alarming levels for generating child sexual abuse material (CSAM), with analysts saying that it has reached a tipping point.</p>

<p>The watchdog group Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said that the creation and distribution of AI-generated CSAM are becoming increasingly sophisticated too.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Unlike in the past, these images and videos are finding their way into public online platforms&nbsp;as opposed to the Dark Web, the internet underbelly accessible only through special browsers like Tor.</p>

<p><strong>Watch: US Prosecutors Intensify Action Against AI-Generated Child Abuse Images</strong></p>

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<p>The increasing photorealism of AI-generated visuals is making it difficult for authorities and watchdog agencies to figure out if these are images of a real child needing help, a situation described by an IWF analyst as a 'tipping point'.</p>

<p>What set alarm bells ringing is that just within the past six months, the number of instances of reported AI-generated child sex abuse imagery crossed what it was in the whole previous year.</p>

<p>In this period, the IWF acted on 74 reports of such content, a sharp rise from 70 in all the 12 months prior.&nbsp;</p>

<p>What's more disturbing is that the AI tools creating these images are trained on real victims' content, complicating efforts to identify genuine cases needing intervention, according to Derek Ray-Hill, the IWF interim chief executive.</p>

<p>“Recent months show that this problem is not going away and is in fact getting worse,” The Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/un-report-exposes-extreme-levels-of-child-abuse-in-armed-conflicts-especially-in-gaza-and-sudan-730923">Also read: UN report exposes 'extreme levels' of child abuse in armed conflicts, especially in Gaza and Sudan</a></strong><br />
<br />
The abuse content ranges from real-looking deepfake videos to altered inappropriate images of clothed children.</p>

<p>More than half of the flagged material is hosted on servers in Russia and the United States, besides Japan and the Netherlands, according to IWF.</p>

<p>The disturbing news comes amid increasing criticism of social media apps over offering safe haven to abusers, and sextortion.</p>

<p><strong><a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-catholic-diocese-to-pay-323mn-to-530-child-sex-abuse-survivors-in-largest-diocese-bankruptcy-762507">Also read: New York Catholic diocese to pay $323mn to 530 child sex abuse survivors, in largest US diocese bankruptcy</a></strong><br />
<br />
Users on platforms like Instagram are being blackmailed after being tricked into sharing intimate images, according to the Guardian report.</p>

<p>The image-sharing platform owned by Meta is reportedly launching measures to combat such crimes.<br />
<br />
It will automatically blur nude images sent via direct messages and caution users about opening them. They will also have the option to block or report senders of such images.</p>

<p>The feature will be enabled by default for teenage accounts while adults can opt in to join.</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used at alarming levels for generating child sexual abuse material (CSAM), with analysts saying that it has reached a tipping point.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being used at alarming levels for generating child sexual abuse material (CSAM), with analysts saying that it has reached a tipping point. The watchdog group Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) said that the creation and distribution of AI-generated CSAM are becoming increasingly sophisticated too. Unlike in the past, these images and videos are finding their way into public online platforms as opposed to the Dark Web, the internet underbelly accessible only through special browsers like Tor. Watch: US Prosecutors Intensify Action Against AI-Generated Child Abuse Images × The increasing photorealism of AI-generated visuals is making it difficult for authorities and watchdog agencies to figure out if these are images of a real child needing help, a situation described by an IWF analyst as a 'tipping point'. What set alarm bells ringing is that just within the past six months, the number of instances of reported AI-generated child sex abuse imagery crossed what it was in the whole previous year. In this period, the IWF acted on 74 reports of such content, a sharp rise from 70 in all the 12 months prior. What's more disturbing is that the AI tools creating these images are trained on real victims' content, complicating efforts to identify genuine cases needing intervention, according to Derek Ray-Hill, the IWF interim chief executive. “Recent months show that this problem is not going away and is in fact getting worse,” The Guardian newspaper quoted him as saying. Also read: UN report exposes 'extreme levels' of child abuse in armed conflicts, especially in Gaza and Sudan The abuse content ranges from real-looking deepfake videos to altered inappropriate images of clothed children. More than half of the flagged material is hosted on servers in Russia and the United States, besides Japan and the Netherlands, according to IWF. The disturbing news comes amid increasing criticism of social media apps over offering safe haven to abusers, and sextortion. Also read: New York Catholic diocese to pay $323mn to 530 child sex abuse survivors, in largest US diocese bankruptcy Users on platforms like Instagram are being blackmailed after being tricked into sharing intimate images, according to the Guardian report. The image-sharing platform owned by Meta is reportedly launching measures to combat such crimes. It will automatically blur nude images sent via direct messages and caution users about opening them. They will also have the option to block or report senders of such images. The feature will be enabled by default for teenage accounts while adults can opt in to join. (With inputs from agencies)

AI-generated child sex abuse images, videos rising at alarming levels, warn internet watchdogs

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<p>The White House on Tuesday (July 18) announced a proposed 'Cyber Trust Mark' intended to show that connected devices meet American security standards. The increasing number of technologies,&nbsp;from baby monitors to security cameras,&nbsp;make up the Internet of Things that officials warned can pose increased cybersecurity threats. In a briefing, officials announced that as per the new programme, companies would be able to qualify display labels on their products signifying they meet certain cybersecurity standards.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Anne Neuberger, White House deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, said, "We now routinely rely on internet and Bluetooth-enabled devices for tasks as basic as adjusting our thermostat and as complex as securing our homes while we're away."</p>

<p>Neuberger warned that poorly secured products can enable attackers to gain footholds in American homes and offices and steal data or cause disruption.&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Programme hopefully to start next year</strong></h2>

<p>According to a report by the news agency AFP on Tuesday, the programme set up under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is hoped to be up and running by next year after a public comment period. "Consumers can have peace of mind that the products that they're bringing into their homes adhere to widely accepted security and privacy standards," FCC chair Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said of US-endorsed cyber trust labels.</p>

<p>Rosenworcel added that product makers would be able to use the marks to differentiate offerings in the marketplace when they meet the standards</p>

<h2><strong>The companies taking part in the programme</strong></h2>

<p>Officials said that the companies taking part in the programme include Amazon, Google, LG Electronics, and Samsung. Citing data from cybersecurity firm SonicWall, the report also said that the amount of malicious software aimed at devices in the internet-of-things "jumped dramatically", with many of the attacks centred in North America.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em><br />
<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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The White House on Tuesday (July 18) announced a proposed 'Cyber Trust Mark' intended to show that connected devices meet American security standards. The increasing number of technologies, from baby monitors to security cameras, make up the Internet of Things that officials warned can pose increased cybersecurity threats.

The White House on Tuesday (July 18) announced a proposed 'Cyber Trust Mark' intended to show that connected devices meet American security standards. The increasing number of technologies, from baby monitors to security cameras, make up the Internet of Things that officials warned can pose increased cybersecurity threats. In a briefing, officials announced that as per the new programme, companies would be able to qualify display labels on their products signifying they meet certain cybersecurity standards. Anne Neuberger, White House deputy national security adviser for cyber and emerging technology, said, "We now routinely rely on internet and Bluetooth-enabled devices for tasks as basic as adjusting our thermostat and as complex as securing our homes while we're away." Neuberger warned that poorly secured products can enable attackers to gain footholds in American homes and offices and steal data or cause disruption. Programme hopefully to start next year According to a report by the news agency AFP on Tuesday, the programme set up under the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), is hoped to be up and running by next year after a public comment period. "Consumers can have peace of mind that the products that they're bringing into their homes adhere to widely accepted security and privacy standards," FCC chair Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said of US-endorsed cyber trust labels. Rosenworcel added that product makers would be able to use the marks to differentiate offerings in the marketplace when they meet the standards The companies taking part in the programme Officials said that the companies taking part in the programme include Amazon, Google, LG Electronics, and Samsung. Citing data from cybersecurity firm SonicWall, the report also said that the amount of malicious software aimed at devices in the internet-of-things "jumped dramatically", with many of the attacks centred in North America. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

US: White House announces proposed cyber safety mark for connected devices

<p>If you ever thought that the internet was free of any prejudice and that in its basic sense, it gives people equal rights to act and react, then you are wrong. The internet is anything but gender-neutral and&nbsp;there is a growing need for a feminist internet: one which has an equal space for women&nbsp;to sexual expression, consent and control of data.</p>

<p>Champion of the feminist internet,&nbsp;Anja Kovacs directs The Internet Democracy Project, an initiative at Point of View&nbsp;which works towards providing opportunities to people whereby they use the Internet informed and judiciously.</p>

<p>She points out, &ldquo;Women have been surveilled by communities and families for centuries. We know the impact that it has. Most people who are open to the kind of things we do can see the restrictions that are there to women that are not on men. This harms women&rsquo;s lives, shapes their lives in particular ways because they constantly have to be careful of what they are doing, where they are going--they constantly have to justify.&rdquo;</p>

<p>Trends reflect that India is like any other country where patriarchy is strongly steeped within the structure of the society. This often gets translated to the nature of communication communities have within themselves and enforces on individuals, majorly women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>There is evidence according to Anja that &ldquo;the more conservative the family is, the more restricted you are on the Internet&rdquo;.</p>

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<h5>The more conservative the family is, the more restricted you are on the Internet.</h5>
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<p><strong>Does it affect all women?&nbsp;</strong></p>

<p>She adds,&nbsp;&quot;I think this is actually true for all women, for you and me as well as for the poorest of the poor. I think it plays out differently though depending on your background, location. &nbsp;Also, financial independence as we have seen that money allows you certain things that you will otherwise be restricted from. For example, your family might not be comfortable with you going out in the night but if they know you can take a taxi, you can get a ride from a friend they know, and you have a mobile phone with which they can be in touch with you constantly--then maybe it&rsquo;s ok. But you have to be able to afford all of that.&quot;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;The fact that women are surveilled more than men is consistent. This divide might be sharper in India but I don&rsquo;t think it&rsquo;s unique to India. A lot of surveillance in India in more conservative communities has really to do with the fears around women&rsquo;s sexuality and the importance of women&rsquo;s virginity for the reputation of a family. It&rsquo;s not just about keeping an individual woman safe but it&rsquo;s also about maintaining the reputation of the entire family and community. The weight of all that falls on women&#39;s shoulders.&rdquo;</p>

<p>On May 3, 2017, a village in UP banned the usage of mobile phones by women, as an order by Khap Panchayat but there&rsquo;s nothing new in the news. The same diktat was announced in several villages of UP, Haryana and Rajasthan in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and even before. According to news reports, every time this ban was pronounced, it was because the Panchayat wanted to restrict women&rsquo;s communication with men and not vice-versa.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<h5>In Muzaffarnagar, the banning of mobile phones was supported as though they are bad for girls, create spaces of privacy and independence that will lead to trouble. It should only be allowed ideally after marriage, definitely not before college.</h5>
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<p>According to Anja: &ldquo;In Muzaffarnagar, the idea (banning of mobile phones) was supported as though they are bad for girls, create spaces of privacy and independence that will only lead to trouble. It should only be allowed ideally after marriage, definitely not before college. However, the same rules do not apply to boys.&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Sadly, this is not just restricted to the elders in Khap Panchayat as the same sentiment is shared by the rural womenfolk too.&ldquo;We met with a woman in Muzaffarnagar who happens to also work for women empowerment. She introduced us to the phrase &lsquo;chupke, chupke&rsquo; (hidden in English). She said that whenever you have to do something &lsquo;chupke chupke&rsquo; then it&rsquo;s always bad. Girls get phones from their boyfriends, stay in bathrooms or separate rooms for long and talk behind closed doors&rdquo;, narrates Anja.</p>

<p><strong>Social norms influence women&rsquo;s lives</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
Social norms affect women&rsquo;s role in the society, status, empowerment, and access to education and income in society, and consequently their relationship with mobile technology. It is often hidden within other, more commonly cited barriers that influence women&rsquo;s access to and use of mobile technology.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;Village women only know that the green button is for picking up phone calls and the red one for disconnecting the phone&rdquo;, says a rural male from India. This, because women are only taught to do this on mobile phones, and that too in the company of others.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Why are women not allowed to use the Internet with privacy?<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;It breaks my heart to tell you that a school teacher in a village told us that the Constitution cannot run at the cost of village way of life. He responded like this when we told him how ironical it was between what was being taught to young girls and what they were practising in real life. These girls who otherwise speak in Hindi, learn words like equality and rights in classrooms but are aware of the contradictions in their life. One girl even questioned us as to &lsquo;why is it that my brother can use the phone whenever he wants?&rdquo;, Anja responds.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
In this sense, desktops are appreciated by all as &ldquo;they are family owned, kept in a room where everybody can see what you are doing or is in a school where there is a supervisor to keep a tab on you&rdquo;.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Talking about rural families in small towns and conservative communities in India, they are usually dependent on agriculture which is reeling under agrarian distress at the moment. To build a future, these families understand the value of Internet and technology. While striving for upward mobility, most families are not enforcing a complete ban but monitored usage of the Internet among girls. Anja adds, &ldquo;For them, access to the Internet in private spaces doesn&rsquo;t work as those are essential to blocking relationships that families are uncomfortable with. Facebook thus became a taboo--as they assume that it is not for education but for marriage and to find love.&rdquo;</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>Gender gap in mobile phone ownership in the world (Source: GSMA report) (Others)</p>
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<p>An existing notion of the Internet being an evil in conservative communities of India and other low-and-middle-income countries reflect poorly on women&rsquo;s right to expression and freedom. There are 3.6 billion mobile internet users around the world, in which women on average are 14 per cent&nbsp;less likely to own a mobile phone than a man, which translates into 200 million fewer women than men owning mobile phones. Women in South Asia are 38 per cent&nbsp;less likely to own a phone than a man, highlighting that the gender gap in mobile phone ownership is wider in certain parts of the world. (According to GSMA Input into Report on the Digital Gender Divide, February 2017). &nbsp;&nbsp;</p>

<p>Background profile of the woman and her family is very important to judge the level of discrimination and subjective treatment. All those times Delhi Metro leaked footages of couples cosying up in the train or platforms raised an alarm in public, we are forced to think how worse it would affect the people involved. Anja says, &ldquo;For a woman, there is an impact in a way there isn&rsquo;t for a man. It&rsquo;s true even for the most privileged woman because even though I might not adhere to a certain mindset but my neighbours will look at me in a particular way, people around me will look at me in a particular way; it&rsquo;s still a pressure you feel.&rdquo;</p>

<p>As part of a research to find&nbsp;&ldquo;who tames whom on the Internet&rdquo; and &ldquo;why are women policed in India on their Internet usage and access rights&rdquo;, these are some of the most popular answers recorded on a popular social media site:&nbsp;</p>

<p>A 28-year-old newly married girl from Aligarh wrote:&nbsp;&ldquo;He questions my character if I talk on Whatsapp after 7 pm, he thinks I do sexting.&rdquo;</p>

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<h5>He questions my character if I talk on Whatsapp after 7 pm, he thinks I do sexting.</h5>
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<p>A 20-year-old female student from Mumbai lamented:&nbsp;&ldquo;My face featured in one of the most popular searches on a porn website even though I have never had sex in my life. It was taken down after a formal complaint but I became a butt of jokes.&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
A 36-year-old male businessman from Ghaziabad audaciously comment,&nbsp;&ldquo;Why do you (girls) need the Internet? Who do you want to expose your body to? What else do you do on Facebook and Instagram&rdquo;</p>

<p>Reinforcing supremacy of one gender over another strengthens in its claim by citing these social norms. Research conducted by GSMA indicates that over centuries, using the same reasons of morality and culture, women have been denied access to technology, especially the kind that enables them to voice their opinion and look beyond.&nbsp;</p>

<p>According to 2015 research on Connected Women titled Bridging the Gender Gap: Mobile Access and Usage in low- and middle-income countries by GSMA: Over 3 billion people in low- and middle-income countries do not own mobile phones, and most of them&mdash;1.7 billion&mdash;are estimated to be female. Nearly two-third&nbsp;of unconnected females live in the South Asia and East Asia &amp; Pacific regions which is not surprising given that these two regions are the largest in terms of population.<br />
&nbsp;</p>

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<p>India has the highest number of women without access to the internet and social media (Source: GSMA report) (Others)</p>
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<p><strong>Dilemmas of being online for women</strong><br />
&nbsp;<br />
Women are far behind in numbers in the usage of social media in comparison to men. As cited in the report by GSMA, there are roughly 3 men for every woman on Facebook in India. In 2015, Facebook had 111 million users in India, of which 84 million are men and only 27 million are women.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Three notable exceptions, however, are Egypt, where women use Facebook and Twitter more than men; China, where women and men use WeChat equally; and Jordan, where women and men use Twitter equally.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Apart from social norms and surveillance issues, women also face dangers in the form of cyber security issues while using social media. The term essentially includes everything under online abuse like trolling, sextortion, revenge porn and others.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Working extensively on these issues, Anja discusses, &ldquo;Trolls target both men and women but how men are targeted is very different from how women are targeted. With men it&rsquo;s more like &lsquo;you don&rsquo;t know what you are talking about&rsquo; but for a woman &lsquo;it&rsquo;s always about her sexuality&rsquo;.&nbsp;</p>

<p>&quot;This is what happened with Priyanka Chopra recently when she wore a dress to meet PM Modi. They used words like &lsquo;slut, whore&rsquo; and anything that she has achieved was easily forgotten. In a way, the troll is an extension of surveillance, if surveillance is about policing norms then trolling is policing norms on the internet. They tried to police Priyanka. It was their way of asking her to behave the way they idealise it, like a traditional Indian woman. They were perturbed by the fact that Priyanka, being a woman, is living a happy life as a successful and independent woman.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;Trolling is about reinforcing fear on the internet.&rdquo;</p>

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<h5>Trolling is about reinforcing fear on the Internet. A friend of mine insists that our weapon and his are the same on the Internet. Use the keyboard and speak up!</h5>
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<div class="share-blockquote"><a class="twitter popup" href="http://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=Trolling is about reinforcing fear on the Internet. A friend of mine insists that our weapon and his are the same on the Internet. Use the keyboard and speak up!" target="_blank"><i class="fa fa-share">&nbsp;</i></a></div>
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<p>Anja talks about a friend who has a knack of dealing with all trollers. She says, &ldquo;I know a woman who says that &lsquo;your weapon and his weapon are same on the Internet. &nbsp;I have a keyboard, he has a keyboard so then what the f#@! is holding you back? Speak up!&rsquo;&rdquo;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Anja believes that trolling is never progressive in nature. &ldquo;They won&rsquo;t ever say &lsquo;man you are so conservative, you should stand up for your rights. Trolling is always reinforcing power. It&rsquo;s a structural thing, linked with surveillance&rdquo;, she adds. &nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
Police records indicate that women these days are most disturbed by the rise in crimes involving images, taken with the aim of morphing, revenge porn and sextortion. Anja says, &ldquo;Women&rsquo;s naked images have a power that naked images of men don&rsquo;t. You can&rsquo;t blackmail a man with naked images because the power is not the same. So who pays the price--disproportionately the woman. Few men who are convicted are usually those blackmailed by a guy in homosexual relationships.&quot;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;The aim should be to expand space for women and not reduce the already narrow space. We need a much more concerted response. We advocate for non-legal responses as you can&rsquo;t go to the police and complain because your timeline is full of words like slut, &nbsp;bitch...That&rsquo;s really troubling.&quot;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&ldquo;Colleagues in Brazil came up with something called &lsquo;Safer nudes&rsquo;: Safer, not safe because you can never be sure. There are apps nowadays that allow you to delete messages from your phone as well as from the one you have sent. Also, there are apps that alert you when someone takes a screenshot of your photo. We need to have knowledge of these things. So if you are sending these images, then avoid Whatsapp because at least other apps will help you send in a safer way. Their dialogue is basically around empowering and giving the control back to women while creating their own space on the Internet.&rdquo;&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
A feminist by principle and action, Anja feels it important to start a dialogue for a feminist Internet: one which has a space for women gives them right to sexual expression, consent and control of data. The Internet is a big bad world for women and after all, &ldquo;people around you shape you, especially as a woman&rdquo;, she adds.&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
(WION)&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;<br />
&nbsp;</p>


Abused, trolled and barred from using the Internet, women are demanding a feminist Internet which gives them a free space

If you ever thought that the internet was free of any prejudice and that in its basic sense, it gives people equal rights to act and react, then you are wrong. The internet is anything but gender-neutral and there is a growing need for a feminist internet: one which has an equal space for women to sexual expression, consent and control of data. Champion of the feminist internet, Anja Kovacs directs The Internet Democracy Project, an initiative at Point of View which works towards providing opportunities to people whereby they use the Internet informed and judiciously. She points out, “Women have been surveilled by communities and families for centuries. We know the impact that it has. Most people who are open to the kind of things we do can see the restrictions that are there to women that are not on men. This harms women’s lives, shapes their lives in particular ways because they constantly have to be careful of what they are doing, where they are going--they constantly have to justify.” Trends reflect that India is like any other country where patriarchy is strongly steeped within the structure of the society. This often gets translated to the nature of communication communities have within themselves and enforces on individuals, majorly women. There is evidence according to Anja that “the more conservative the family is, the more restricted you are on the Internet”. The more conservative the family is, the more restricted you are on the Internet. × Does it affect all women? She adds, "I think this is actually true for all women, for you and me as well as for the poorest of the poor. I think it plays out differently though depending on your background, location. Also, financial independence as we have seen that money allows you certain things that you will otherwise be restricted from. For example, your family might not be comfortable with you going out in the night but if they know you can take a taxi, you can get a ride from a friend they know, and you have a mobile phone with which they can be in touch with you constantly--then maybe it’s ok. But you have to be able to afford all of that." “The fact that women are surveilled more than men is consistent. This divide might be sharper in India but I don’t think it’s unique to India. A lot of surveillance in India in more conservative communities has really to do with the fears around women’s sexuality and the importance of women’s virginity for the reputation of a family. It’s not just about keeping an individual woman safe but it’s also about maintaining the reputation of the entire family and community. The weight of all that falls on women's shoulders.” On May 3, 2017, a village in UP banned the usage of mobile phones by women, as an order by Khap Panchayat but there’s nothing new in the news. The same diktat was announced in several villages of UP, Haryana and Rajasthan in 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and even before. According to news reports, every time this ban was pronounced, it was because the Panchayat wanted to restrict women’s communication with men and not vice-versa. In Muzaffarnagar, the banning of mobile phones was supported as though they are bad for girls, create spaces of privacy and independence that will lead to trouble. It should only be allowed ideally after marriage, definitely not before college. × According to Anja: “In Muzaffarnagar, the idea (banning of mobile phones) was supported as though they are bad for girls, create spaces of privacy and independence that will only lead to trouble. It should only be allowed ideally after marriage, definitely not before college. However, the same rules do not apply to boys.” Sadly, this is not just restricted to the elders in Khap Panchayat as the same sentiment is shared by the rural womenfolk too.“We met with a woman in Muzaffarnagar who happens to also work for women empowerment. She introduced us to the phrase ‘chupke, chupke’ (hidden in English). She said that whenever you have to do something ‘chupke chupke’ then it’s always bad. Girls get phones from their boyfriends, stay in bathrooms or separate rooms for long and talk behind closed doors”, narrates Anja. Social norms influence women’s lives Social norms affect women’s role in the society, status, empowerment, and access to education and income in society, and consequently their relationship with mobile technology. It is often hidden within other, more commonly cited barriers that influence women’s access to and use of mobile technology. “Village women only know that the green button is for picking up phone calls and the red one for disconnecting the phone”, says a rural male from India. This, because women are only taught to do this on mobile phones, and that too in the company of others. Why are women not allowed to use the Internet with privacy? “It breaks my heart to tell you that a school teacher in a village told us that the Constitution cannot run at the cost of village way of life. He responded like this when we told him how ironical it was between what was being taught to young girls and what they were practising in real life. These girls who otherwise speak in Hindi, learn words like equality and rights in classrooms but are aware of the contradictions in their life. One girl even questioned us as to ‘why is it that my brother can use the phone whenever he wants?”, Anja responds. In this sense, desktops are appreciated by all as “they are family owned, kept in a room where everybody can see what you are doing or is in a school where there is a supervisor to keep a tab on you”. Talking about rural families in small towns and conservative communities in India, they are usually dependent on agriculture which is reeling under agrarian distress at the moment. To build a future, these families understand the value of Internet and technology. While striving for upward mobility, most families are not enforcing a complete ban but monitored usage of the Internet among girls. Anja adds, “For them, access to the Internet in private spaces doesn’t work as those are essential to blocking relationships that families are uncomfortable with. Facebook thus became a taboo--as they assume that it is not for education but for marriage and to find love.” Gender gap in mobile phone ownership in the world (Source: GSMA report) (Others) × An existing notion of the Internet being an evil in conservative communities of India and other low-and-middle-income countries reflect poorly on women’s right to expression and freedom. There are 3.6 billion mobile internet users around the world, in which women on average are 14 per cent less likely to own a mobile phone than a man, which translates into 200 million fewer women than men owning mobile phones. Women in South Asia are 38 per cent less likely to own a phone than a man, highlighting that the gender gap in mobile phone ownership is wider in certain parts of the world. (According to GSMA Input into Report on the Digital Gender Divide, February 2017). Background profile of the woman and her family is very important to judge the level of discrimination and subjective treatment. All those times Delhi Metro leaked footages of couples cosying up in the train or platforms raised an alarm in public, we are forced to think how worse it would affect the people involved. Anja says, “For a woman, there is an impact in a way there isn’t for a man. It’s true even for the most privileged woman because even though I might not adhere to a certain mindset but my neighbours will look at me in a particular way, people around me will look at me in a particular way; it’s still a pressure you feel.” As part of a research to find “who tames whom on the Internet” and “why are women policed in India on their Internet usage and access rights”, these are some of the most popular answers recorded on a popular social media site: A 28-year-old newly married girl from Aligarh wrote: “He questions my character if I talk on Whatsapp after 7 pm, he thinks I do sexting.” He questions my character if I talk on Whatsapp after 7 pm, he thinks I do sexting. × A 20-year-old female student from Mumbai lamented: “My face featured in one of the most popular searches on a porn website even though I have never had sex in my life. It was taken down after a formal complaint but I became a butt of jokes.” A 36-year-old male businessman from Ghaziabad audaciously comment, “Why do you (girls) need the Internet? Who do you want to expose your body to? What else do you do on Facebook and Instagram” Reinforcing supremacy of one gender over another strengthens in its claim by citing these social norms. Research conducted by GSMA indicates that over centuries, using the same reasons of morality and culture, women have been denied access to technology, especially the kind that enables them to voice their opinion and look beyond. According to 2015 research on Connected Women titled Bridging the Gender Gap: Mobile Access and Usage in low- and middle-income countries by GSMA: Over 3 billion people in low- and middle-income countries do not own mobile phones, and most of them—1.7 billion—are estimated to be female. Nearly two-third of unconnected females live in the South Asia and East Asia & Pacific regions which is not surprising given that these two regions are the largest in terms of population. India has the highest number of women without access to the internet and social media (Source: GSMA report) (Others) × Dilemmas of being online for women Women are far behind in numbers in the usage of social media in comparison to men. As cited in the report by GSMA, there are roughly 3 men for every woman on Facebook in India. In 2015, Facebook had 111 million users in India, of which 84 million are men and only 27 million are women. Three notable exceptions, however, are Egypt, where women use Facebook and Twitter more than men; China, where women and men use WeChat equally; and Jordan, where women and men use Twitter equally. Apart from social norms and surveillance issues, women also face dangers in the form of cyber security issues while using social media. The term essentially includes everything under online abuse like trolling, sextortion, revenge porn and others. Working extensively on these issues, Anja discusses, “Trolls target both men and women but how men are targeted is very different from how women are targeted. With men it’s more like ‘you don’t know what you are talking about’ but for a woman ‘it’s always about her sexuality’. "This is what happened with Priyanka Chopra recently when she wore a dress to meet PM Modi. They used words like ‘slut, whore’ and anything that she has achieved was easily forgotten. In a way, the troll is an extension of surveillance, if surveillance is about policing norms then trolling is policing norms on the internet. They tried to police Priyanka. It was their way of asking her to behave the way they idealise it, like a traditional Indian woman. They were perturbed by the fact that Priyanka, being a woman, is living a happy life as a successful and independent woman. “Trolling is about reinforcing fear on the internet.” Trolling is about reinforcing fear on the Internet. A friend of mine insists that our weapon and his are the same on the Internet. Use the keyboard and speak up! × Anja talks about a friend who has a knack of dealing with all trollers. She says, “I know a woman who says that ‘your weapon and his weapon are same on the Internet. I have a keyboard, he has a keyboard so then what the f#@! is holding you back? Speak up!’” Anja believes that trolling is never progressive in nature. “They won’t ever say ‘man you are so conservative, you should stand up for your rights. Trolling is always reinforcing power. It’s a structural thing, linked with surveillance”, she adds. Police records indicate that women these days are most disturbed by the rise in crimes involving images, taken with the aim of morphing, revenge porn and sextortion. Anja says, “Women’s naked images have a power that naked images of men don’t. You can’t blackmail a man with naked images because the power is not the same. So who pays the price--disproportionately the woman. Few men who are convicted are usually those blackmailed by a guy in homosexual relationships." “The aim should be to expand space for women and not reduce the already narrow space. We need a much more concerted response. We advocate for non-legal responses as you can’t go to the police and complain because your timeline is full of words like slut, bitch...That’s really troubling." “Colleagues in Brazil came up with something called ‘Safer nudes’: Safer, not safe because you can never be sure. There are apps nowadays that allow you to delete messages from your phone as well as from the one you have sent. Also, there are apps that alert you when someone takes a screenshot of your photo. We need to have knowledge of these things. So if you are sending these images, then avoid Whatsapp because at least other apps will help you send in a safer way. Their dialogue is basically around empowering and giving the control back to women while creating their own space on the Internet.” A feminist by principle and action, Anja feels it important to start a dialogue for a feminist Internet: one which has a space for women gives them right to sexual expression, consent and control of data. The Internet is a big bad world for women and after all, “people around you shape you, especially as a woman”, she adds. (WION)

The Internet is bad for Indian women

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