Sting Operations, Cyber (S)extortion and Revenge Pornography: Technology-Facilitated Gender-Based Violence in MENA

Cyber catphishing, or sting operations, cyber (s)extortion, and revenge pornography cause women and LGBTQ+ individuals significant harm, are often interdependent, and occur concurrently.

In the Middle East & North Africa (MENA), women and LGBTQ+ individuals face intensified risks of technology-facilitated gender-based violence (TF-GBV) due to social stigmas stemming from their non-conformity with gender norms. In the same manner that other forms of (in)security are constructed and experienced in line with one’s gender and intersecting with other identities, so too is cyber and digital security. These stigmas not only discourage victims from reporting digital crimes but also encourage perpetrators, who rely on the culture of victim-blaming. This makes TF-GBV a technological (in)security, social, and legal issue. 

Forms of TF-GBV in MENA   

Three forms of TF-GBV in MENA—cyber catphishing or sting operations, cyber (s)extortion, and revenge pornography—often interdependent and concurrent, cause women and LGBTQ+ individuals significant harm. 

The LGBTQ+ community has primarily been targeted by catphishing for extortion and sting operations aimed at identifying and arresting individuals, especially on dating apps (like Grinder, Hornet, and PlanetRomeo) and social media, which are used by both authorities and non-state actors. Victims often face combined forms of technological intrusion, including geolocation tracking and unauthorized access to personal devices. In Egypt in 2020, a gay man was entrapped by the police on Grindr, leading to his arrest and charges for debauchery and cybercrimes using his online chats and personal photos found on his devices. In Saudi Arabia in 2011, the police lured a man in drag into meeting with police by using a chatroom, resulting in a prison sentence and lashes. In Morocco in 2020, queer individuals on dating apps had their photos taken and shared online by individuals who created fake accounts, leading to severe online harassment, death threats, and suicide. In Lebanon, fake accounts on queer dating apps led to blackmail, sextortion, and doxxing.  

Women are often targeted by cyber (s)extortion and non-consensual intimate image sharing. Cyber (s)extortion involves hackers or ex-partners blackmailing victims for financial or sexual gains or leaking private photos online for revenge, a practice known as “revenge pornography”. This type of TF-GBV causes significant sexual, psychological, and economic harms, exacerbated by limited social and legal support. The labyrinth of legal procedures and the non-readiness of police to deal with TF-GBV cases while preserving the anonymity of victims, coupled with victim-blaming, discourages reporting and encourages blackmailers.   

In extreme cases, these abuses can lead to suicide or honor killings. In Egypt, two girls commit suicide in 2021 and 2022: one had her phone hacked and doctored photos of her were posted online, while the other was blackmailed by neighbors with fabricated images. Another girl who spoke out after being gang-raped faced online harassment and media criticism. The rapists capitalized on this culture of victim-blaming by leaking the video of the rape and photos online. This led to the arrest of the girl for morality offenses, though she was later acquitted after advocacy campaigns. In Iraq in 2019, a group of people hacked a 25-year-old woman's social media accounts, stole explicit photos from her private messages, and blackmailed her for money and sex. Another woman paid her ex-partner $200 a month for four years in exchange for not publishing her intimate photos. In Morocco, a 17-year-old girl shared on an Instagram page dedicated to fighting revenge porn. Her boyfriend had lured her into sending naked photos, which he then distributed, leading to harassment and slut-shaming. 

Strategies to address TF-GBV  

Understanding TF-GBV as a security, social, and legal issue requires a multistakeholder approach, involving governments, tech companies, and civil society, which is necessary for effective digital security design, policy, and governance.  

MENA governments should enhance cybersecurity education and legal awareness at all levels and increase awareness of digital risks through media campaigns. Collaboration between civil society and tech companies is needed to offer training and resources on digital security practices. Additionally, human rights lawyers and tech activists should synergize efforts to provide legal advice and information on data protection, cybercrime laws, and digital rights.  

Tech companies should develop secure-by-design technology by assessing the human rights impact of their products and design and tailor features to address specific gender-based risks. This includes removing geolocation features from apps, ensuring secure sign-ups, creating risk reporting systems that connect users with tech support, and implementing anonymous-based authentication systems. 

MENA states should update national and regional technology related regulations to address digital threats, be gender-sensitive, and protect the rights of vulnerable gender identities without being weaponized for persecution. This could be achieved by involving civil society and tech experts in digital governance processes. Moreover, police should have GBV units with trained officers who prioritize victim anonymity, while empowering and including women in cyber police departments.  

Civil society should continue to amplify the voices and experiences of vulnerable groups to highlight the risks of technology and cyber policies when misused. Creating advocacy pages, such as Egypt's “Speak Up” and Morocco's “Diha F’Rassek,” can raise awareness of online abuse and challenge social taboos. These campaigns can mobilize public opinion, advocate for digital rights legislation, and pressure tech companies to improve their security measures. Including tech companies in feminist and human rights conversations is also crucial. 

The pervasive issue of TF-GBV in MENA demonstrates the intersection of digital security, social norms, and legal inadequacies. By addressing the root causes of stigma and ensuring that technological and legal systems are equipped to protect all individuals, MENA can move towards a future where digital spaces are secure and equitable for everyone.  

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not express the official position of the Wilson Center.