The cyber cell of the city police has decided to get tough with those operating false accounts on social networking sites.
Under the Information Technology (Amendment) Act, 2008, opening fake accounts and posting fake photographs is strictly prohibited.
“We have received some complaints about opening of fake accounts on social network sites, especially of film stars and renowned personalities. The suspects have uploaded photographs of popular personalities,” the cyber cell officers said.
The deputy commissioner of police (cyber cell), Sanjay Shinde, said a probe is on to identify the suspects involved in such violations of the Act. “At present, we are probing five such cases. We shall zero in on the suspects,” he said.
President of the Asian School of Cyber Laws, Rohas Nagpal, told DNA that if a fake profile of a person is created on a social networking site and the profile contains defamatory information about the victim — such as alleged sexual weakness or immoral character — then sections 66A and 500 of the IT Act apply. These offences are punishable with imprisonment and fine.
There are instances where the culprit creates a false profile of a woman on a social networking site with her correct name and contact information, including address, residential phone or cellphone number. Sometimes even her photograph is uploaded.
In the profile, the woman is described as a prostitute or being a woman of loose character who wants to have sexual relations with anyone. Other members view the profile and start calling her up at odd hours asking for sexual favours.
“These acts lead to harassment of the victim and also defames her. In such scenarios, section 66A and 67of the Information Technology Act and Section 509 of the Indian Penal Code — which speaks of word, gesture or act intended to insult the modesty of a woman — is applicable and can lead to imprisonment and monetary penalty,” Nagpal added.
