In a significant interim order aimed at protecting the right to privacy, the Delhi High Court has directed online platforms Google, Facebook, and X (formerly Twitter) to remove and prevent further circulation of a video clip showing a woman river rafting, which was allegedly uploaded without her consent and led to online trolling and harassment.
Justice Sachin Datta, while hearing a plea filed by the woman, issued notices to the Union Government, the social media platforms, the rafting instructor, and the travel agency involved in the incident. The court sought their responses and scheduled the next hearing for July 22.
The court observed:
“In the meantime, considering the aforesaid circumstances, the respondents 2 to 5 (social media platforms) are directed to remove the URLs from which the video concerned is being published/circulated. The description of the URLs has been set out in the memo of parties.”
The platforms were further directed to take appropriate measures to prevent any future publication of the video.
The petitioner stated that she had visited Rishikesh for a vacation in March 2025 and engaged a travel agency to undertake river rafting. Upon the suggestion of the rafting instructor, she opted for a GoPro video recording of her experience. However, she later discovered that the video—showing her in a visibly distressed and panic-stricken state during the rafting—had been uploaded online without her knowledge or consent.
The woman alleged that the video portrayed her in a negative light and triggered a wave of “cyber abuse, cyber bullying, threat, hatred, trolling and harassment.” She claimed that her personal freedom, peace, safety, and security were severely compromised as a result.
According to the plea, the video was intended solely for personal use, but the rafting instructor and the associated travel agency released it to third parties, violating her right to privacy. The woman sought directions from the court to remove the video from all online platforms and prevent further dissemination to safeguard her dignity and mental well-being.
The High Court also instructed the Central Government to take necessary steps in accordance with the relevant rules and regulations to address the concerns raised.
