The dominance of foreign companies and the resulting cultural imperialism are profoundly impacting the Bharatiya societal psyche. What is the role of global technology companies in the context of obscene content? How and to what extent is the cultural decline occurring because of this? Without understanding the answers to these questions, how can we preserve our country’s culture?
8.1 Digital Colonialism: Ignoring Laws
Digital colonialism refers to the control that large global technology companies (e.g., Meta, X, Google) have gained over Bharat’s digital space.[1] These companies often consider themselves superior to Bharatiya laws. When it comes to removing objectionable content, these companies frequently delay compliance with instructions from the Bharatiya government or ignore them under the guise of freedom of expression. Since their servers and headquarters are abroad, it is difficult to hold them accountable within the Bharatiya legal framework. This is a form of modern colonialism, where foreign companies gain control over Bharatiyas’ data and earn profits by disseminating content harmful to local culture. By flouting Bharatiya laws and behaving arbitrarily, these companies are contributing to social instability.
8.2 Westernization of Decency: Importing Values
Social media algorithms are primarily based on Western values.[2] In this process, Bharatiya values such as decency, shame, and family boundaries are portrayed as outdated. Standards of open sexuality and nudity from Western countries are imposed on Bharatiya users. When a Western fashion or behavior goes viral globally, the Bharatiya younger generation begins to blindly imitate it. Algorithms encourage content that is ‘bold’ or ‘provocative’. As a result, the definition of decency in Bharatiya culture is being erased, and the values of Western hedonistic culture are entering Bharatiya homes. This is not limited to clothing but is also Westernizing Bharatiya society at the level of thought, causing the foundation of traditional morality to crumble.
8.3 Targeting India: Misuse of Population
Bharat is the country with the largest number of internet users in the world, making it a huge market for the global sexual stimulation industry. Many foreign adult websites and apps specifically attract Bharatiya users by using content in Bharatiya languages, characters in Bharatiya attire, and local references. Bharat’s large young population is the primary target of these companies. These companies know that data is cheap in Bharat and smartphone usage has increased, so they deliberately create content that seems compatible with Bharatiya culture but is actually vulgar. This is not just a commercial objective but an attempt to mentally enslave a large population, potentially trapping the country’s productive force in the addiction to obscenity.
8.4 Presentation of Rights: Wrong Marketing of Freedom
To support indecent content, phrases like ‘personal freedom’ and ‘my body, my right’ (Body Positivity/Choice) are often marketed. Hyper-sexuality is presented as a sign of progressive thinking. Creators who produce indecent content are labeled ‘revolutionary’ or ‘free-thinking’.[3] In reality, this marketing of freedom is done solely for commercial gain. This creates confusion among the younger generation that adhering to moral boundaries is backwardness. Due to this wrong presentation of rights, boys, girls, and young men and women become ready to exploit themselves, believing they are doing it by their own choice. This mask of freedom is actually spreading moral anarchy.
8.5 Weakening the Social Fabric: Geopolitical Consequences
The spread of obscenity is not just a moral issue; its geopolitical consequences are also serious. When a country’s younger generation falls prey to obscenity, the social fabric of that society weakens.[4] The disintegration of family institutions, reduced faith in sacred bonds like marriage, and increased sexual criminality, all these effects hinder the country’s internal security and progress. A weak and characterless society easily falls victim to any external cultural aggression. Foreign powers can use obscenity to destroy the concentration and discipline of Bharatiya youth. This is a form of ‘soft war’, where a country is hollowed out from within through cultural decline without direct warfare. To escape from this, implementing appropriate policies to increase digital literacy is the primary duty of the government.
[1] Siddharath Shrivastava, “Digital Colonialism and Data Sovereignty: International and National Legal Perspectives in the Digital Era”, Journal of Contemporary Law and Society, Vol 2(4), December 2025, available at: https://informaticsjournals.co.in/index.php/jcls, last visited on 8.12.2025
[2] “How Does Algorithmic Bias Affect Cultural Representation?”, Sustainability Directory, Dt. 19.03.25, available at: https://lifestyle.sustainability-directory.com/question/how-does-algorithmic-bias-affect-cultural-representation/, last visited on 8.12.2025
[3] Dr. Shivani Verma, “The Indecent Representation Of Women By Media: A Legal And Social Challenge”, Ianna Journal of Interdisciplinary Studies, EISSN: 2735-9891 Volume 6, Issue 2, 2024 61
[4] Arjun H B, “The Obscenity Tightrope: Legal Analysis of Judicial Standards, Legal Moralism and Social Debate”, available at: https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5b7ea2794cde7a79e7c00582/t/66ecc1b1b45f3e7e45decb52/1755622824629/the+obscenity.pdf
Purchase my e-book “Digital Darkness” choose your language.
Instead of doom-scrolling on mobile, just start reading good books. You can opt an option of e-books to save paper.
