As social media usage rapidly expands across rural India, it opens new channels of communication and interaction but simultaneously creates opportunities for cybercrime. The perils of digital misuse, including the hacking of social media accounts, are becoming more apparent in rural regions, where many users lack sufficient knowledge of cybersecurity protocols. This case study examines the cybercrime experienced by Premlata Verma, a farmer from Vishrampur village in Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. Her Instagram account was hacked, and inappropriate content was posted, severely damaging her personal reputation. The incident sheds light on the broader cybersecurity challenges in rural areas, particularly for women who are increasingly becoming active on digital platforms but remain vulnerable to exploitation.
The digital revolution in India has brought significant advancements in connectivity, including in rural regions where access to the internet has historically been limited. With the proliferation of affordable smartphones and expanding mobile network coverage, social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, and WhatsApp have seen rapid adoption among rural populations. However, the surge in digital activity has outpaced the development of digital literacy, creating an environment where users are often unaware of the risks associated with online engagement.
For women in rural areas, social media presents a dual-edged sword. On one hand, it offers new opportunities for self-expression, entrepreneurship, and social interaction. On the other, it exposes them to cyber harassment, hacking, and online abuse, which can have serious repercussions for their personal and social lives. In many rural communities, where social norms are conservative, a woman’s reputation is intrinsically linked to her family’s standing, making online victimisation particularly damaging. This case study focuses on Premlata Verma’s experience, demonstrating the severe social and psychological impacts of a cybercrime incident.
Premlata Verma is a 32-year-old woman from Vishrampur village in Tilda block, Raipur district, Chhattisgarh. She belongs to an ordinary farming family in the Other Backward Class (OBC) category, a socio-economic group often characterised by limited access to resources and education. Despite her humble background, Premlata became active on social media, particularly Instagram, where she shared posts about her life, work, and hobbies.
Instagram allowed Premlata to connect with people beyond her immediate community, gaining followers and receiving positive feedback on her posts. For rural women like Premlata, social media serves as a platform for expression and connection that traditional forms of communication do not provide. However, her digital literacy was limited, and she was unaware of the potential risks associated with managing an online presence, such as account hacking and cyber harassment.
Premlata’s engagement with Instagram took a distressing turn when her account was hacked by an unknown individual. The hacker gained access to her profile, began posting obscene and inappropriate content, and used her account to spread offensive material. For Premlata, this was not just a breach of her digital space but an attack on her personal identity. The content shared by the hacker was completely at odds with the values and image Premlata had cultivated online and in her community.
Many of Premlata’s friends and family members were connected to her Instagram account, and they immediately noticed the disturbing posts. In conservative rural societies like Vishrampur, a woman’s reputation is closely guarded, and any perceived deviation from accepted social norms can lead to severe social ostracism. As inappropriate posts began to appear from Premlata’s account, her family and friends started to question her character. The incident deeply tarnished her reputation within her community, as people began to view her with suspicion.
Premlata’s social standing took a significant hit, with many believing that she was responsible for the content posted on her account. This misunderstanding caused substantial emotional distress, as she struggled to cope with the damage done to her relationships. The community’s response to the incident highlights how digital crimes are not viewed in isolation but can have far-reaching consequences on a person’s social and familial life.
The cybercrime against Premlata was executed through hacking her Instagram account. The exact means by which the hacker gained access to her account remain unclear, but it is likely that her credentials were compromised through a weak password or phishing attack. Phishing—where attackers impersonate legitimate sources to trick victims into revealing their personal information—is a common method of social media account hijacking in rural areas. Many users, like Premlata, are not familiar with the importance of strong passwords or the necessity of enabling two-factor authentication to secure their accounts.
Once the hacker gained control of Premlata’s Instagram profile, they began posting offensive material, damaging her reputation. The technology used in this case was straightforward: the hacker exploited Premlata’s lack of cybersecurity awareness and the fact that her account was not adequately protected. In rural regions where cybersecurity education is minimal, such attacks can go unnoticed until significant damage has been done.
The social and emotional impact of the cybercrime on Premlata was profound. The posts made from her hacked account directly contradicted the values she upheld, and as a result, her family and community began to view her in a negative light. In the conservative social fabric of rural India, where a woman’s honour is closely tied to her family’s reputation, this type of incident can have devastating consequences.
Premlata faced a period of deep social isolation. Friends and relatives distanced themselves from her, and she experienced a growing sense of shame and fear. The incident also caused significant mental distress, as she struggled to prove her innocence and restore her reputation. For a long time, Premlata was seen as having violated the moral expectations placed upon her by her community, which viewed the posts on her Instagram account as a reflection of her character.
The financial implications of the incident, while not as direct as in cases of financial fraud, were also significant. As a member of a farming family with limited means, Premlata did not have access to the legal or technical resources needed to resolve the situation independently. Furthermore, the damage to her reputation affected her family’s social standing, which in turn could have long-term effects on their economic opportunities within the village.
Premlata’s situation came to the attention of Kaushal, a rural fact-checker from the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF), who regularly works with rural communities to improve digital literacy. Kaushal intervened by visiting Premlata and helping her navigate the process of regaining control of her Instagram account. After several attempts, Kaushal successfully deleted the hacked account, preventing any further damage.
In addition to resolving the immediate issue, Kaushal provided Premlata with guidance on how to protect herself from future incidents of cybercrime. He explained the importance of creating strong passwords, avoiding phishing attempts, and using two-factor authentication for her social media accounts. The intervention by DEF highlights the critical role that grassroots digital literacy initiatives play in safeguarding vulnerable populations from cyber threats.
Premlata’s case also serves as an educational example for others in her community. Since the incident, she has taken on an informal role as a digital safety advocate, sharing her experience with friends and neighbours. She advises them on the importance of being cautious when engaging with social media and encourages them to be mindful of whom they interact with online.
The case of Premlata Verma demonstrates the broader issue of cybersecurity vulnerability in rural India. As digital penetration increases, so too do the risks associated with it, particularly for women who often have limited access to digital education and resources. Premlata’s experience illustrates how cybercrime is not limited to urban areas; rural communities, with their unique socio-cultural dynamics, are equally at risk.
This case underscores the need for comprehensive digital literacy programmes in rural India, particularly those that focus on cybersecurity. Many users, like Premlata, are unaware of basic digital safety practices, such as creating strong passwords or recognising phishing scams. These programmes must be accessible and tailored to the specific needs of rural women, who may face additional barriers to digital participation, such as language limitations, cultural restrictions, and lower levels of formal education.
Furthermore, this case highlights the importance of building trust and offering support to victims of cybercrime. In conservative communities, where personal reputation is highly valued, victims may hesitate to seek help due to fear of social ostracism. Ensuring that support systems, such as those provided by the Digital Empowerment Foundation, are in place and accessible is essential to help victims recover from such incidents.
Premlata Verma’s experience with social media hacking provides a stark reminder of the risks associated with digital engagement in rural India. Her case highlights the intersection of technology, socio-cultural norms, and digital literacy, demonstrating how cybercrimes can have far-reaching consequences for women in conservative rural societies. Addressing these challenges requires a multi-faceted approach that combines digital literacy education with broader efforts to empower rural women and protect them from online exploitation. Initiatives like those undertaken by the Digital Empowerment Foundation are crucial in bridging the digital divide and ensuring that rural women can engage with technology in a safe and empowering manner.