Report says tech firms and authorities overlook non-nude images in abuse cases

A report by gender justice group Chayn states that social media companies and law enforcement agencies focus on nudity when assessing image-based abuse and often decline cases involving clothed photographs. The study draws on 64 interviews conducted between July 2025 and February 2026 with women in Pakistan and diaspora communities in the UK, Canada, Germany, Malaysia, the UAE, and Kuwait.

Case examples One participant, identified as Mahnoor, said her former husband accessed her private photos and sent them to relatives and colleagues. The images showed her in everyday clothing; none were nude. She told the BBC that her family stopped speaking to her and colleagues avoided eye contact after the photos spread.

Pakistani actress Ayesha Omar said photos taken more than ten years ago on a beach in Thailand, showing her in a swimsuit and shorts, were posted online without permission. She stated that she lost advertising campaigns and work as a result.

Platform and agency responses Mahnoor reported the images to Pakistan's National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency. The agency declined the complaint because the photos were not sexually explicit, according to a written response seen by the BBC. She also contacted WhatsApp, which she said told her it could not act without the registered SIM card.

Chayn founder Hera Hussain said the organization wants to shift the focus from nudity to consent, harm, and intent when defining image-based abuse. The report concludes that current definitions used by platforms and regulators miss how ordinary images can damage reputation and safety in some communities.