Parl panel calls for comprehensive 'gender-sensitive' law to combat cybercrime

NE DELHI: Reflecting on the sharp increase in cybercrime against women and children over the years, a parliamentary committee has recommended that the govt should initiate structured and time-bound examination for formulation of a “comprehensive and gender-sensitive cybercrime legislation”.

In its report on "Cyber Crimes and Cyber safety of Women" presented in Parliament on Monday, the Committee on the Empowerment of Women also recommended introducing age-appropriate regulations and calibrated usage limits on social media platforms to safeguard children and adolescents from adverse psychological impact and safety-by-design standards to ensure responsible digital engagement.

It highlighted that NCRB data reflects a nearly 239% increase in cybercrime against women and multi-fold rise in cases involving children between 2017 and 2022, which underscores the seriousness of the situation.

A significant rise in such crimes during COVID-19 pandemic reflected higher digital dependence. National Cybercrime Reporting Portal (NCRP) has reported more than 2.48 lakh complaints related to women and children between 2019 and April 2025.

The committee chaired by BJP Lok Sabha MP Dr D Purandeswari said that the exponential surge in complaints recorded on NCRP indicates growing awareness as well as institutional action. However, it also noted the phenomenon of under-reporting, driven by fear, stigma and limited digital literacy, particularly among young girls, rural women and socio-economically vulnerable groups.

The report is based on inputs received from the ministry of home affairs, ministry of electronics and information technology (MeitY), Cyber Peace Foundation, an NGO, cyber experts from CDAC and social media intermediaries (Google & Meta).

The committee highlighted that cyber offences impacting women and children are presently addressed through multiple statutes, including Information Technology Act, 2000; Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023; POCSO Act, 2012; and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. “These provisions collectively cover a wide spectrum of offences. However, their dispersed nature often results in overlapping mandates, interpretational ambiguities, uneven enforcement and procedural delays,” it said.

Against this backdrop, it emphasised the need for a comprehensive cybercrime law, complementing and harmonising existing statutes rather than abruptly replacing them.

The committee also called for digital platforms, particularly social media, messaging, and hosting services being held to higher accountability standards. In addition, it strongly recommended that mandatory KYC-based verification be introduced across all social media, dating and gaming platforms to curb the menace of fake profiles, impersonation and anonymous harassment.

“Platforms must carry out periodic re-verification and maintain high-risk flags for accounts repeatedly reported for abuse. Strict licensing norms and age-verification protocols must be established for dating and gaming apps, with penalties for platforms that fail to protect women and minors from fraudulent or coercive practices,” it recommended.

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