Delhi HC Backs Woman's Right To Privacy, Orders Takedown Of Video From Social Media

The Delhi High Court barred online platforms including Google, Facebook and X to take down the link to the video clip of a woman who was river rafting in Rishikesh that was posted by the travel agency without her consent. In her plea, she has claimed that the published video is a breach of her right to privacy as it was circulated without her knowledge and has led to trolling and harassment.

While hearing the case, Justice Sachin Dutta gave directives to the online platforms to initiate steps that curtail the publication of the video which was uploaded by the rafting instructor and the travel agency.

On April 16, the HC issued notices demanding response to the woman’s plea from the Centre, the platforms, the instructor and the travel agency. The hearing has been posted to July 22, with the court directing the Centre to take necessary action in relation to relevant rules and regulations.

"In the meantime, considering the aforesaid circumstances, the respondents 2 to 5 are directed to remove the URLs from which the video concerned is being published/circulated. The description of the URLs has been set out in the memo of parties," the court said.

The woman had travelled to Rishikesh in March, 2025 when the rafting instructor had suggested to capture her rafting experience through a GoPro camera. In one of the videos, the woman can be seen panicking and claims that “it does not portray her in good light.” She has further stated that she has been subject to cyber bullying, cyber abuse, threat, hatred, trolling and harassment due to the video being posted online.