Pakistan, Bangladesh fail to tackle online violence

Significance

However, women as well as gender minorities in these countries have experienced an uptick in cyberviolence in recent years. Most existing laws lack clear definition on what constitutes gender-based cybercrimes, and some cybercrime laws have been misused to limit free speech and increase state surveillance.

Impacts

• Across South Asia, content regulation laws for tech platforms are likely to be used to target dissidents.
• Tech platforms do not face an immediate political push to improve the safety of their female customers.
• Civil society activism on digital dignity will create reputational risks for platforms failing to take action.