In the wake of the covid-19 pandemic, our traditional ways of socializing, learning, working and accessing other essential services, have been disrupted. As a result, there has been an increased reliance on technology to perform many tasks without endangering lives. During the first month of the pandemic alone, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority revealed that internet usage had gone up by 15%.

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How indigenous tech innovations are helping Pakistan battle the pandemic

The data reveals that 74% of the complaints received were from women, 19% from men and 5% by gender non-binary individuals. A majority of the cases that the Digital Rights Foundation’s cyber-harassment helpline received digitally during lock-down (months of April & May) pertained to blackmailing through non-consensual sharing of information, intimate images and videos.

COVID-19 lock-down and the rising rage of incels