The Responsibility of Digital Platforms in Preventing Online Gender-Based Sexual Violence through a Gender-Responsive Approach
TL;DR
This article recommends the adoption of rules governing the legal responsibility of digital platforms by implementing provisions requiring them to proactively filter harmful content to victims and to provide complaint services for users who are victims of online GVS, thereby making the digital ecosystem a safe space for users.
Abstract
Online Gender-Based Sexual Violence (GVS) continues to increase as technology facilitates interaction through social media. This situation demands a model of accountability for digital platform providers in protecting users, particularly in preventing, responding to, and recovering victims' digital footprints. This study analyzes efforts to engage digital platforms through strengthening gender-responsive regulations. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how gender-sensitive protection standards should be integrated into the rules governing digital platforms and the technical aspects of handling harmful content. The study uses a normative-empirical approach through a review of laws and regulations, comparative studies with other countries, case studies of handling online GVS, and brief interviews with victims. The results show that there are no clear, firm regulations governing the roles and responsibilities of digital platforms in enforcing user protection efforts, providing easily accessible reporting mechanisms, and preventing harm. This study compares the implementation of digital platform regulations in Australia and Germany. This article recommends the adoption of rules governing the legal responsibility of digital platforms by implementing provisions requiring them to proactively filter harmful content to victims and to provide complaint services for users who are victims of online GVS, thereby making the digital ecosystem a safe space for users.