The Digital Targeting of Muslim Women in India: When AI Becomes a Weapon

The primary aim of Artificial Intelligence (AI) was to make our lives better. It enables the rapid diagnosis of diseases, aids education, and makes work easier. Technology can only go so far, however, and will be as effective as the hands that operate it. AI is now becoming a deadly weapon. In India, this powerful technology is being leveraged to target Muslim women with fake images, deepfakes, and strategically orchestrated online abuse. It is a severe violation of the rights of women, and the Indian government is not doing enough to prevent it.

The Precedent: Online Harassment and Fake Auctions

AI is not a new phenomenon, and women in India have long been subjected to horrific abuse by online perpetrators for voicing their opinions. This is particularly true for those speaking out about women’s rights in recent years—especially journalists, students, and activists who are threatened with rape and death simply for expressing their views.

The world was shocked over the last few years by the emergence of the “Sulli Deals” and “Bulli Bai” apps. These applications took photos of hundreds of Muslim women and posted them on fake online “auctions.” Despite the eventual arrest of some individuals, these attacks exposed the grim reality regarding the safety of women in India’s digital space.

The Escalation via Generative AI

With the advent of generative AI, this threat has become exponentially more serious. Now, anyone with a cell phone can produce lifelike fake photos, videos, and voice recordings in a matter of minutes. Bad actors are taking normal pictures of women wearing a hijab (head covering) and transforming them into pornographic, bogus adult content. These deepfakes are disseminated across social media platforms before the victims are even aware they exist.

Because of their realistic appearance, most people cannot distinguish what is real from what is fake. However, the fallout from a fake photo causes irreversible damage to a woman’s reputation. This constitutes an extreme breach of a woman’s right to dignity, privacy, and safety.

International research indicates that women are disproportionately likely to be the victims of sexual deepfakes. India is particularly susceptible due to intersecting issues of gender discrimination and religious prejudice, creating a hostile environment for minority women.

The Silencing of Minority Voices

This digital violence happens for a reason in India: it is fueled by growing political and religious hatred. Women are being systematically “silenced” and driven out of the public sphere through the internet.

The resulting psychological toll is immense:

• Women refrain from posting online out of fear their faces will be stolen and destroyed.

• They self-censor their speech to avoid becoming targets.

• Many delete their social media accounts entirely.

Ultimately, this targeted harassment strips away their freedom of speech and their fundamental right to participate equally in society.

The Accountability Void: Big Tech and the Government

The blame for this epidemic falls, in part, on big tech firms. These platforms invest billions of dollars into making AI as powerful as possible, yet allocate remarkably little toward safety protocols. Fake pictures remain on the internet for days, and millions of people have access to them before they are removed. The victim is left to manage the crisis on her own, while the platforms rake in engagement and internet traffic.

But the biggest failure lies with the Government of India. The term “Modern Democracy” is used proudly, but a democracy cannot be true when it is bereft of the protection of its women citizens.

• Inadequate Legislation: Laws in India lag behind technological advancements and are currently inadequate to deal with AI-facilitated crimes.

• Lack of Political Will: There is a serious lack of political will to hold those who attack Muslim women accountable. Online abuse is frequently overlooked by authorities, fostering a culture of fear.

• State Complacency: The perceived state acceptability of hatred against minority groups makes cyber-criminals feel safe, operating with the assumption that they will not face consequences for their crimes.

Moving Forward: Technology as an Enabler, Not a Terrorizer

No woman should ever have to fear that her identity will be stolen, twisted by AI, and used to humiliate her for no other reason than her faith or her gender. The proper measure of progress is the advancement of human rights.

India needs to urgently update its legislation, demand stronger safety measures from tech companies, and heavily penalize cyber-criminals. Technology must serve as a way to empower society, not to terrorize its women.