NOOR SURIB

Yemen – Digital media is developing day by day and takes a big place in our lives. The use of digital media brings many online crimes with it. Many crimes such as online blackmail and threats are committed on digital media. People having no information about digital media security face such crimes. Especially in Yemen, most girls have no information about digital media security. This situation has driven them into an uncertain situation. Some of them could manage to get rid of this uncertain situation but some of them are still struggling to get rid of it. 

Nour Khaled, an engineer specialized in engineering technology at the Aden Center, first defined such crimes; “Blackmail involves a threat to do something that would cause a person to suffer embarrassment or financial loss. The blackmailers usually demand something shameful. If the person doesn’t meet demands, his or her life will be in danger. It poses danger for girls because technology has infiltrated every aspect of our lives, including our private life.”

“People don’t know anything about digital media security”

Many people apply to the center for online crimes they face. “All complaints are similar, only the perpetrators of the crime are different,” Nour Khaled said their center provides technical solutions. “Most of the people applying to our center are girls facing blackmails on social media platforms. They apply us when their personal accounts are hacked or their pictures and messages are stolen. The first reason why they face such things is that they don’t know anything about digital media security.” 

“A law should be enacted”

The center has organized courses and workshops for girls to give information about digital media security. “When girls face blackmails, they apply us. We support them and tell them to not be afraid of blackmails. Then we meet officially with Facebook officers. We send the accounts of blackmailers to Facebook to be deactivated,” Nour Khaled said that there is no law in the country to prevent such crimes, “A law should be enacted to prevent online crimes.”

“Don’t trust anyone”

Nour Khaled advised girls to not trust anyone on digital media. “Absolutely do not be afraid. Blackmail is an accident. All of us can face it. We should know that the internet has benefits as well as harms. Girls should know information about digital media security to protect themselves. They shouldn’t trust anyone on the internet. Girls shouldn’t be afraid, they should know that we are with them. Parents should love their children and not blame them because their worst enemy is hackers. The Yemeni government should enact a law protecting people from online crimes.”