Cybersecurity and Women’s Safety Online: Challenges and Solutions

In the age of digital transformation, women are increasingly exposed to online threats that put their safety, privacy, and reputation at risk. Despite the rapid growth of technology, gaps in legislation, corporate accountability, and technological protections have left women vulnerable to various forms of cyber harassment. This article delves into the issue of online harassment, its impact on women, and the urgent need for changes across legal, technological, and corporate landscapes to create safer online spaces for women.

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For nearly two decades, Eva Galperin, director of cybersecurity at the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF), has worked to combat online harassment against women. Through her work, she has encountered countless women suffering from online abuse—ranging from harassment to privacy violations and image manipulation. These experiences are not isolated, as a survey conducted by Incogni and the National Organization for Women (NOW) revealed that one in four American women have been victims of online harassment. The findings further highlighted concerns about personal data misuse, with 84% of women fearing exploitation by unauthorized entities.

Galperin stresses that companies and platforms need to implement better practices to protect women online, and societal norms must evolve. She emphasizes that men should also speak out against harassment when they witness it. A significant issue that has emerged in recent years is the rise of AI-driven deepfakes, which are used to discredit and harm women by creating fake videos that violate their privacy and consent.

Ifeoluwa Elegbe, a cybersecurity and legal expert, underscores the ease with which deepfake technology can now be accessed and used for malicious purposes. She notes that this has led to an increase in harmful deepfake pornography, often resulting in harassment, blackmail, and reputational damage. One of the key gaps identified by Elegbe is the lack of adequate legal protections for victims of deepfake abuse, especially in the absence of clear federal laws addressing privacy violations and online harassment.

Additionally, Galperin points to data brokers who contribute to women’s vulnerability by collecting, aggregating, and selling personal data without proper consent. She advocates for data minimization practices by companies and transparency in how personal data is collected and used.

Both experts call for comprehensive changes in legislation, technology, and corporate accountability to ensure the safety of women in digital spaces. They suggest implementing stronger laws, clearer penalties for failing to remove harmful content, and specialized training for law enforcement to better handle digital abuse cases.

What Undercode Say:

The intersection of cybersecurity and gender equality highlights a critical issue that often gets overshadowed by broader digital security discussions. Women, especially in the digital age, face unique and multifaceted challenges. The rise of online harassment is not just a “tech issue”; it’s an urgent matter that touches on personal safety and human rights. According to experts like Galperin and Elegbe, the landscape of online abuse has evolved dramatically over the past few years, particularly with the advent of AI tools like deepfakes. These tools have transformed harassment from a nuisance into a highly destructive form of attack.

Women are disproportionately affected by these threats, as evidenced by the high rates of online harassment reported by surveys. From cyberstalking and revenge porn to identity theft and reputational damage via deepfake pornography, the consequences are dire. These cases, which may once have been seen as isolated incidents, are now part of a troubling pattern that affects women on a larger scale. This shift has been catalyzed by the increasing accessibility of malicious tools, making it easier for individuals—regardless of their technical skill level—to engage in cyber harassment.

What stands out in this conversation is the persistent gap in legal protections for victims. While certain types of online abuse, such as revenge porn, are recognized as crimes, the legislation often lags behind the rapid evolution of digital threats. Deepfakes, for example, have no clear legal framework in place to address them effectively. This leaves women vulnerable, especially when social media platforms and tech companies are not held accountable for the user-generated content they allow to flourish on their platforms.

Moreover, data brokers play a significant role in amplifying the risks faced by women online. They collect vast amounts of personal information, often without explicit consent, and sell it to the highest bidder. Once this data is out there, it becomes impossible to control where it goes or how it’s used. This lack of oversight only fuels the exploitation of women, who become targets of identity theft, harassment, and worse.

To address these issues, a multi-pronged approach is necessary. Legislation must catch up with technological advancements, holding platforms accountable for the harmful content they host. Companies should also be more transparent about the data they collect and how they protect their users. Additionally, there needs to be more education, awareness, and resources for both women and law enforcement to combat digital abuse effectively.

Fact Checker Results:

✅ Research Validation: Surveys, like the one conducted by Incogni and NOW, confirm the widespread nature of online harassment affecting women.
✅ Technological Accuracy: The rise of deepfake technology and its use for malicious purposes is well-documented.
✅ Legal Gaps: The lack of comprehensive laws to protect victims of online harassment, especially regarding deepfakes, is an ongoing issue.

Prediction:

As technology continues to advance, the nature of online harassment will evolve. We can expect to see an increase in AI-driven attacks, such as deepfake pornography and AI-generated content used for blackmail. Legal systems, however, will likely adapt to this new reality, with stronger protections for victims and more robust regulations for tech companies. Enhanced transparency, both in corporate practices and data collection, will become a critical aspect of ensuring safety for women online. With advocacy and education at the forefront, digital spaces may one day become safer, more inclusive, and accountable to all users.

References:

Reported By: www.darkreading.com
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