How to report graphic content to cybercrime.gov.in (Section 67A IT Act)

1. That feeling you can't unsee

You are scrolling through your feed late at night, and suddenly, a video or image pops up that you just cannot unsee. It might be graphic violence, non-consensual intimate images, or something so deeply disturbing it leaves you feeling physically sick. Your first instinct is to close the app and try to forget it, but the "wtf did I just watch" feeling doesn't go away.

In India, you don't have to be a passive bystander. Whether it is a deepfake, child sexual abuse material (CSAM), or extreme gore, you have the legal right to get that content taken down and hold the uploader accountable. You don't need to be an activist or a lawyer to do this; you just need to know which buttons to click and which laws to cite.

2. What the law actually says

Indian law has become significantly stricter regarding digital content over the last few years. The primary legal framework is the Information Technology (IT) Act, 2000, and the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

• IT Act, Section 67: Deals with publishing or transmitting obscene material in electronic form. A first conviction can lead to up to 3 years in jail and a fine of ₹5 lakh.
• IT Act, Section 67A: Specifically covers material containing sexually explicit acts. This carries a penalty of up to 5 years in jail and a ₹10 lakh fine.
• IT Act, Section 67B: This is the strictest section, covering Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM). Even browsing or storing such material can lead to criminal charges.
• BNS, Section 296: (Formerly Section 294 of the IPC) This section of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, covers obscene acts and songs in public, which extends to digital "public" spaces.
• BNS, Section 77 & 78: These cover voyeurism and stalking, which are often the root causes of graphic or harassing content being shared online.
• IT Rules, 2021 (Rule 3(2)(b)): This is your most powerful tool for quick action. It mandates that social media platforms (like Instagram, X, or Reddit) must remove non-consensual intimate images within 24 hours of receiving a complaint.

If the content involves a crime, the police are mandated to register an FIR under Section 173 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2024. As established in the landmark Supreme Court case Lalita Kumari vs. Govt. of U.P. (2014), if the information discloses a cognizable offence, the police must register an FIR immediately. You can learn more about this in our guide on how to file an FIR (and what to do if police refuse).

3. Step-by-step playbook

Step 1: Preserve the evidence (Do not delete yet!)

Before you report or block, you need proof. If the content is deleted later, your complaint might fail without evidence.

• What to do: Take a full-page screenshot that includes the username, the timestamp, and the content itself.
• The URL: Copy the direct link to the post and the profile link of the uploader.
• Metadata: If you received this on WhatsApp, do not delete the chat. Export the chat (without media if it's illegal to possess, like CSAM) to save the technical logs.

Step 2: Report to the platform

Every major platform (Intermediary) is legally required to have a Grievance Officer under the IT Rules 2021.

• What to do: Use the in-app 'Report' function. Select the specific category (e.g., "Nudity or sexual activity," "Violence," or "Hate speech").
• Timeline: For non-consensual intimate images, they must act within 24 hours. For other content, they usually respond within 15 days.
• If it fails: If the platform refuses to take it down, save their refusal message. You will need this for the next step.

Step 3: File a complaint on the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal

This is the official government channel for reporting digital crimes.

• Where to go: Visit cybercrime.gov.in.
• What to bring: Your screenshots, the URLs you saved, and a brief description of what you saw.
• Process: You can report anonymously if the content involves women or children. For other crimes, you will need to register with your mobile number.
• Timeline: You will receive an acknowledgement number immediately. A police officer from your local cyber cell will typically contact you within 48–72 hours for verification.
• Internal Link: For a deeper dive into this specific portal, check our Cyber Crime reporting portal guide.

Step 4: Filing a Zero FIR for serious offences

If the content involves a serious crime (like a threat to life, physical assault, or CSAM), a web report might not be enough.

• What to do: Go to your nearest police station. You do not have to go to the station where the crime happened.
• The Law: Under Section 173 of the BNSS, you can file a 'Zero FIR'. This means the police must register the complaint and then transfer it to the relevant station.
• What to say: "I want to register a Zero FIR regarding a cognizable offence under Section 67A of the IT Act and Section 77 of the BNS."

Step 5: Contact specialized helplines if children are involved

If the content you watched involves a minor, the legal stakes are much higher.

• Action: Immediately call 1098. This is a 24/7 emergency phone service for children in need of aid and assistance.
• Internal Link: See our guide on Childline India: 1098 for how to handle these sensitive cases without putting yourself at risk.

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Where it usually breaks

The system looks good on paper, but in reality, you will hit roadblocks. Here is how to navigate the most common ones:

• The "Report Anonymously" trap: On cybercrime.gov.in, you can report without an account. Don't do this unless you absolutely must. Anonymous reports are often "filed" (read: ignored) because police can't contact you for clarification or evidence. If you want results, register with your phone number so you get a Tracking ID.
• The "Not our jurisdiction" shuffle: If you go to a physical police station, they might try to send you to the "Cyber Cell" in another part of the city. Under Section 173 of the BNSS, 2024, you can file a Zero FIR at any police station regardless of where the crime happened. They are legally bound to register it and transfer it themselves.
• Portal technical glitches: The portal often rejects files larger than 5MB or specific formats. Convert your screenshots to PDF and trim videos to the most "incriminating" 30 seconds to keep file sizes low. If the "Submit" button is greyed out, try clearing your browser cache or using Incognito mode—the portal is notoriously buggy on Safari/Chrome mobile.
• Platform "Community Standards" gaslighting: You report a graphic video to Instagram or X, and they reply saying, "This does not violate our community standards." Do not stop there. Under Rule 3(2)(b) of the IT Rules 2021, platforms must remove non-consensual intimate content within 24 hours. If they refuse, take a screenshot of their refusal and upload it to the Cybercrime portal as evidence of the platform's non-compliance.
• The "Verification" phone call: A few days after reporting, a local constable might call you and ask you to come to the station. This is often just to "verify" the complaint. If you are a woman or a child, remember Section 183 of the BNSS—you have the right to have your statement recorded at your residence or a place of your choice in the presence of your parents/guardians. You do not always have to go to the station.

Templates / script

A. Email to a Platform’s Grievance Officer

Find the email in the platform’s "Legal" or "Help" section (e.g., [email protected]).

Subject: Urgent: Takedown Request under Rule 3(2)(b) of IT Rules 2021 – [Case ID if any]

To the Grievance Officer,

I am writing to report graphic/obscene content that violates the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021.

1. URL of Content: [Paste Link Here]
2. Type of Violation: [e.g., Non-consensual sexual content / Graphic Violence / CSAM]
3. Specific Law: This content violates Section 67A of the IT Act, 2000 and Section 296 of the BNS, 2023.

Under Rule 3(2)(b), you are required to acknowledge this complaint within 24 hours and remove the content immediately as it relates to [mention if it's nudity/sexual act]. Please provide a confirmation of the takedown.

Regards, [Your Name]

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B. Description for Cybercrime Portal (cybercrime.gov.in)

When the portal asks for "Additional Information," use this structured format:

Incident Details: On [Date] at [Time], I encountered graphic/obscene content on [Platform Name].

• Uploader Handle: @[Username]
• Link: [Paste Link]
• Description of content: [Briefly describe: e.g., "A video showing explicit sexual acts/extreme physical violence without consent."]
• Action Taken: I reported this to the platform on [Date], but no action was taken (see attached screenshot of refusal).

Legal Reference: I request you to register this under Section 67A of the IT Act and Section 77 of the BNS. I am concerned about the further viral spread of this material and request an urgent takedown order to the intermediary.

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C. Script for 1930 Helpline

If you are calling the National Cyber Crime Helpline:

"Hello, I am calling to report a cybercrime involving [graphic content/non-consensual images]. I have already saved the links and screenshots. Can you please guide me on whether I should file this under the 'Women/Child' category on the portal to ensure an urgent takedown? I have the uploader's profile link ready. What is the acknowledgement number for this call?"

FAQs

1. Can I get in trouble for having the video on my phone while reporting? Under Section 67B of the IT Act, possessing Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) is a crime. However, for other graphic content, the law targets "publishing and transmitting." If you have the video solely for the purpose of providing evidence to the police, you are generally protected. Once you have uploaded it to the portal, delete it from your gallery and "Recently Deleted" folder.

2. Will my parents find out if I file a report? If you are above 18, the police will communicate with you via the phone number you provide. If you are under 18 (a minor), the police are legally required to involve a parent or guardian during the statement recording process under the POCSO Act or BNSS. If the content is sensitive, you can request the police to keep your identity confidential during the investigation.

3. What if the uploader is using a fake profile or is outside India? Report it anyway. Indian agencies can issue notices to platforms (like Meta or Google) to provide the IP address and registration logs of the uploader. Even if the person is abroad, the platform is legally bound to "geo-block" the content so it cannot be viewed in India under the IT Rules 2021.

4. How long does it actually take for a video to be removed? If it is a "private" or intimate image/video, platforms usually take it down within 24 hours of a valid report. For general graphic violence or obscenity, it can take 48 to 72 hours. If you have a Cybercrime Portal acknowledgement number, the process is significantly faster as platforms prioritise police-linked reports.

5. Is 1930 only for when I lose money in a scam? No. While 1930 is the "Financial Fraud" helpline, it now serves as the general National Cyber Crime Helpline. Operators can guide you on how to report graphic content, harassment, and stalking. They can also help if you are struggling to navigate the cybercrime.gov.in portal.

6. The police refused to file my FIR. What is my next move? If a station officer refuses your FIR despite clear evidence of a crime, you can send your complaint in writing to the Superintendent of Police (SP) via registered post under Section 173(4) of the BNSS. Alternatively, you can approach the Cyber Grievance Officer of your state or file a complaint with the National Commission for Women (NCW) at ncw.nic.in if the content targets a woman.