WEB DESK: The Digital Rights Foundation (DRF) revealed on Thursday that its Digital Security Helpline has received over 20,000 complaints of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TFGBV) since its launch in 2016, with 3,171 cases reported in 2024 alone. Marking eight years of operations on International Girls in ICT Day, DRF released its Digital Security Helpline Annual Report 2024, highlighting the escalating crisis of online abuse in Pakistan and beyond.
The report shows cyber harassment dominated the complaints, with 2,741 of the 3,171 cases in 2024 involving such abuse. Notably, only 36 percent originated from cities with Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) cybercrime units, exposing significant gaps in accessibility for rural areas. Women bore the brunt of attacks, accounting for 1,772 cases, with 85 percent of non-consensual intimate image abuses targeting them. Vulnerable groups including transgender individuals, minors, journalists and human rights defenders also faced heightened risks, with cases involving minors surging by 51 percent compared to 2023.
Cybercrime soars: 1.8M women victimised in Pakistan
DRF Executive Director Nighat Dad warned of growing AI-driven threats, urging tech companies and the state to prioritize “cultural nuance and human safety over automation.”
The report calls for reforms to the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA), investment in digital literacy programs, and gender-sensitive training for law enforcement.
The helpline, accessible via toll-free number (0800-39393) and email, has expanded its services to combat sophisticated digital threats, assisting users from 25 countries in 2024 while providing psychosocial support and legal guidance.