After Porn Groups on WhatsApp, Prostitution & Escorts Business Flourish On The Messaging App: Report
WhatsApp and smartphones are being used for receiving payments from the customers in the business of prostitution.
With Facebook data breach that happened recently, some questions have arisen about the security concerns with the involvement of smartphones as well as apps that we use regularly. In the age of technology, the exposure to social media has definitely widened which is directly promoting stalking and voyeurism. Moreover, a typical pattern of using such apps has added concerns for the health agencies like Kerala State Aids Control Society as these apps are being used in soliciting customers. See More: Child Pornography Racket: WhatsApp Group Comprised of 66 Indian Members, 56 From Pakistan & 29 From USA, Reveals CBI Probe
The agency in a study learnt that messaging applications like WhatsApp are being employed in soliciting customers for prostitution and escort business in Kerala. With the involvement of smartphones and hi-tech apps, the prostitution industry in the state too has tuned technology oriented. The transaction in the industry are now carried out via smart devices as well as apps, claims the agency in its study. According to the Kerala State Aids Control Society (KSACS) and NGOs that work for this cause in the state claims that apps such as Whatsapp are now used in soliciting businesses and coordinating meeting places.
Recently, CBI busted a child pornography racket - 'KidsXXX' which was operated through WhatsApp. The Whatsapp group included 119 members from different countries such as India, Pakistan and USA. The CBI has arrested the main group administrator - Nikhil Verma, a resident of Kannauj in Uttar Pradesh. The investigating agency has also identified other administrators of the group. The CBI has also recovered the mobile phones, laptops and hard discs. See More: From Child Pornography to Stalking! How Social Media Promotes Voyeurism
With the new mode of soliciting customers, the agency also fears an increase in sexually transmitted diseases as it claims about 15,802 women and 11,707 male are involved in the flesh trade in Kerala. However, the agency also believes that it just an estimated number but the risk for STDs are comparatively higher owing to the usage of such apps.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Apr 10, 2018 10:31 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).