The spread of indecent material on the internet is not merely a moral issue; it is deeply connected to the criminal world. This is a web that starts in the virtual world and reaches real criminality. This material fuels serious crimes such as human trafficking, extortion, and sexual violence. The criminal underworld has expanded its network so extensively using technology that ordinary citizens can easily get trapped in it. Without a detailed review of this criminal grip, it will not be possible to extricate ordinary citizens from this web.
14.1 Gateway to the Criminal World
Indecent material on the internet is not just a means of entertainment; it is becoming a gateway to the criminal world. This growing market of obscenity has brought many invisible dangers with it, affecting societal safety. Organized criminal gangs operate behind this digital empire, exploiting human desires to turn over crores of rupees. It is important to see how this material, initially viewed out of mere curiosity, gradually pushes a person toward criminal tendencies. Not only individuals but large companies and digital platforms also appear to be indirectly involved in these crimes. The criminal nature arising from indecent material is extremely complex and terrifying, posing major challenges to law and order.[1]
14.2 Gateway Theory: Does Indecent Material Lead to Sexual Violence?
According to the Gateway Theory, the use of indecent material can be the first step toward more serious sexual crimes. When a person constantly views indecent material, their brain’s sensitivity begins to decrease. When simple and natural scenes no longer satisfy, the person turns to more violent, degrading, and perverted material. Some individuals attempt to enact the perverted fantasies created in their mind while viewing this material in real life, turning into serious crimes like rape or sexual exploitation.
Studies of the backgrounds of many criminals reveal that they were hardcore addicts of indecent material.[2] The violent behavior shown in indecent material begins to seem normal to them, destroying their social and moral fear. The attitude of viewing women merely as objects of consumption strengthens through this material, fueling violent acts. Although not every person viewing indecent material becomes a criminal, for those with criminal tendencies, this material acts as a trigger. In this way, indecent material can become a dangerous path leading toward sexual violence.
14.3 Extortion Gangs: Organized Crime behind Blackmail Scams
In today’s era, the crime known as sextortion has increased on a large scale. Behind this lies a large network of organized criminal gangs. These gangs create fake accounts on social media, befriend people, and lure them into indecent acts on video calls. These calls are secretly recorded, and then the blackmail game begins. The victim is threatened with sending the video to relatives or making it viral on the internet, demanding large sums of money.[3]
These gangs operate so systematically that the frightened victim pays, and often this cycle does not end. Out of fear of losing honor, many people do not go to the police, which these criminals exploit. In some cases, victims have even committed suicide out of despair. These are not just individual-level crimes; this is an international racket operated from various countries. Using indecent material to exploit people’s weak moments and extort money from them has become the main business of these gangs.
14.4 Human Trafficking: Use of Digital Platforms to Advertise Victims
There is a close connection between the indecent material industry and human trafficking. Not all characters in indecent material available on the internet are there willingly. Many women and children are deceived or kidnapped and pushed into this business. Indecent acts are forcibly extracted from these victims, recorded, and sold on the internet. Digital platforms are used to advertise these victims and connect with customers.[4]
On places like the dark web, auctions of people brought through human trafficking are held, or their indecent services are sold. Technology has made it easy for criminals to hide their identity and conduct this trade worldwide. The growing demand for indecent material strengthens this trafficking. As long as the consumption of this material continues, stopping this vicious cycle of human trafficking is difficult. This is a form of modern slavery, where the trade in human bodies is done through digital screens. As a result, thousands of innocent lives are being destroyed, and criminal organizations are becoming rich.
14.5 Cyber stalking: How Content Fuels Obsessive Behavior
The perverted mindset created by indecent material pushes a person toward cyber stalking. When a person becomes addicted to obscene material, they do not remain limited to screen characters but start stalking women they know or on social media. Misusing their photos, sending indecent messages, or peeking into their private lives—these acts increase. The intense desire to enact scenes seen in indecent material with real-life people arises from this.
Cyber stalking causes immense mental torment to the victim. Criminals continuously create new accounts to harass the victim. Content in indecent material creates a delusion in such people’s minds that they can exert control over anyone. This behavior is not limited to online; it can extend to actual physical stalking, endangering the victim’s life. Online obscenity fuels the violent and obsessive tendencies of such people, raising the issue of social safety.
14.6 Question of Incitement: Are Platforms Complicit in These Crimes?
How complicit large platforms spreading indecent material are in these crimes is a major topic of debate and concern. Many times, it has been observed that these companies ignore indecent and illegal content on their platforms solely for profit. Although these platforms claim to follow rules, videos created through human trafficking or without consent are widely available there. Videos are not removed until a major complaint arises.
These companies’ algorithms are designed to attract users toward more provocative content. This increases addiction and consequently strengthens criminal tendencies. There is no solid mechanism with them to control the millions of videos uploaded on these platforms, or they have no desire to implement one. In this way, solely to earn money through advertisements and subscriptions, these platforms are giving silent consent to criminality. Bringing these companies within the legal framework and holding them accountable for these crimes has now become a necessity of the time.
[1] Earl Sanders, “The Digital Evolution of Organized Crime: How Technology Shapes a New Criminal Empire”, Deepweb, Dt. 26.3.2025, available at: https://deepweb.net/blog/cyberattacks/the-digital-evolution-of-organized-crime-how-technology-shapes-a-new-criminal-empire, last visited on 14.12.2025
[2] Rajesh Saha, “Kolkata doctor’s rapist had liquor before crime, used to watch porn: Sources”, India Today, Dt. 12.8.2024, available at: https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/kolkata-doctor-rape-murder-case-accused-sanjay-roy-liquor-watched-porn-bengal-police-2580653-2024-08-11, last visited on 14.12.2025
[3] Alana Ray and Nicola Henry, “Sextortion: A Scoping Review”, TRAUMA, VIOLENCE, & ABUSE 2025, Vol. 26(1) 138 –155
[4] “The Complex Relationship Between Trafficking and Prostitution in Legal and Social Contexts”, The Law Institute, Dt. 7.11.2023, available at: https://thelaw.institute/understanding-human-trafficking/trafficking-prostitution-legal-social-contexts/, last visited on 14.12.2025
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