DIGITAL DIVIDES: A COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF CYBERCRIMES AGAINST WOMEN IN RUSSIA AND INDIA
THE LAWWAY WITH LAWYERS JOURNAL VOLUME:-10 ISSUE NO:- 10 ,April 20, 2024 ISSN (ONLINE):- 2584-1106 Website: www.the lawway with lawyers.com Email: thelawwaywithelawyers@gmail.com DIGITAL-DIVIDES-A-COMPARATIVE-ANALYSIS-OF-CYBERCRIMES-AGAINST-WOMEN-IN-RUSSIA-AND-INDIA Dr. Pallavi Singh Assistant Professor of Law Central University of South Bihar Аnastasia Ochkina Assistant of the Civil Law Department Saratov State Law Academy Abstract The cyber divides that exacerbate risks for women in both Russia and India are the main topic of this paper’s comparative study of cybercrimes against women. The spread of technology in recent years has created previously unheard-of opportunities as well as new targets for abuse. Using a range of sources such as scholarly investigations, official documents, and case studies, this study looks at how the different judicial systems and socio-cultural settings in these two nations affect the experiences of female victims. It looks at the types and frequency of cybercrimes against women, such as financial fraud, revenge porn, cyberstalking, and online harassment. The efficacy of current laws and law enforcement tactics in combating these crimes and offering assistance to victims is also examined in this article. This study intends to provide insights for policy suggestions and actions targeted at reducing digital gaps and improving women’s security in the digital sphere by shedding light on the parallels and differences between Russia and India. Keywords: Cybercrime, Cyberlaws, India, Russia, Technology. Introduction Technology has completely changed how civilizations connect, communicate, and operate in the modern digital age. Although this change has opened up previously unheard-of possibilities for advancement and connection, it has also revealed a darker side marked by cybercrimes, especially against weaker demographics like women. The delicate relationship between gender dynamics and the changing digital world is highlighted by cybercrimes against women, which pose a serious global concern. In this regard, comprehending the subtleties of cybervictimization becomes crucial, especially in countries with distinct sociocultural settings like India and Russia. The purpose of this article is to compare cybercrimes against women in Russia and India, two nations with very different technology infrastructures, legal systems, and sociocultural backgrounds. We want to explore the similarities, differences, and underlying causes of the digital inequalities that exacerbate women’s vulnerability by looking at the experiences of female victims in these different settings. With its history of governmental monitoring and technological competence, Russia offers a complex environment for studying cyber victimisation. While the quick growth of internet connection has made everything more connected than before, it has also created an environment that is ideal for cyber exploitation. Russian women are subject to a wide range of online risks, such as financial fraud, revenge porn, harassment, and cyberstalking. Furthermore, there are substantial obstacles because of ingrained patriarchal attitudes and the lack of comprehensive legal measures. However, India is a rapidly developing digital economy characterised by wide socioeconomic gaps. Internet penetration has expanded as a result of the nation’s quick digitalization initiatives, especially among metropolitan people. But this digital transformation has also made women more vulnerable to online abuse, financial frauds, and cyberbullying, among other forms of cybervictimization. The intricate legal structure and varied cultural milieu of India make it more difficult to address cybercrimes against women, calling for specialised interventions and strong enforcement measures. This study intends to add to a nuanced knowledge of cyber victimisation and improve evidence-based preventative and intervention efforts by contrasting the experiences of women in Russia and India. This article aims to advocate for improved safeguards and empowerment for women worldwide by shedding light on the digital divisions that sustain gender inequality in cyberspace via thorough research and analysis. A Comparative Overview of Cybercrimes Against Women Cybercrimes against women comprise a variety of malevolent actions carried out via digital channels that specifically target women according to their gender. These crimes can take many different forms, including as harassment, exploitation, and fraud. They are frequently motivated by power disparities and gender-based discrimination. These cybercrimes seriously jeopardise women’s safety, wellbeing, and socioeconomic stability in both Russia and India. One of the most common types of cybercrimes against women is harassment, which includes sharing sexually explicit information without permission, cyberbullying, and online stalking. In digital areas such as messaging apps, online forums, and social media platforms, harassment of women is a common occurrence for women in Russia and India. Such harassment can have severe psychological repercussions for victims, including stress, worry, and terror. Vulnerable women are frequently the focus of cyberbullying, which preys on their trust and takes use of their weaknesses for illicit financial gain or other reasons. This covers things like trafficking, sextortion, and internet grooming. There are differences in the prevalence of exploitation between Russia and India that can be attributed to differences in socioeconomic status, cultural standards, and the efficiency of law enforcement. Fraudulent schemes also present serious threats to women in both nations, such as identity theft, phishing scams, and online financial fraud. Cybercriminals take advantage of women’s gullibility and trust to trick them into sending money under false pretences or divulging private information. Such fraud has an impact that goes beyond monetary losses; it may lead to social isolation, mental pain, and reputational harm. Russia and India have different patterns and tendencies when it comes to the frequency and occurrence of cybercrimes against women. Although Russia has a highly developed technology infrastructure and a high rate of internet access, it also has issues with state sponsored monitoring and a lack of strict implementation of laws against cybercrime. On the other hand, although the digital environment in India is expanding quickly, a sizeable portion of the populace does not have access to cybersecurity or basic computer literacy. In spite of these variations, the effect on victims is quite consistent. Both nations suffer greatly from the psychological pain, strained social ties, and threatened economic stability caused by cybercrimes against women. To tackle these issues, legislators, law enforcement agencies, IT corporations, and civil society organisations must work together to improve cybercrime victim care systems, prosecution strategies, and preventative measures. Factors Involved with Cybervictimization A complex interaction between technological, legal, and sociocultural elements shapes cyber victimisation