This archive report was first published on 22 August 2019.
Abusers Use Technology to Control and Stalk ¶
Technology was meant to make life simpler, but it has also opened new roads to domestic violence. Abusers use innovation to frighten, pester, or scare their unfortunate casualties even after they have moved out of the relationship.
According to a report, a mother endured consistent stalking, insulting, and badgering from an ex who had taken over her accounts. Another case involved a spouse who fixed a GPS tracker in his fiancée’s full doll to find her without her insight.
There are numerous cases in which innovation is utilized to build up a feeling of ubiquity for the abuser, and to rebuff, separate, and embarrass the person in question. Abusers even go the extent of posting sexualized content online to harass the person in question.
Protecting Yourself with Technology ¶
Although technology has been used to execute domestic violence by the abusers, it can also be used to protect domestic violence survivors from further abuse and stalking. Here are some digital tips for domestic violence survivors:
Reset Your Phone ¶
It’s basic for abusers to introduce surveillance applications or spyware onto your smartphone to monitor you. The abuser can track your whereabouts consistently and screen your web movement as long as you carry and use your phone. Evacuate any applications that might screen your activities by resetting your phone back to factory settings.
Secure Smart Home Technologies ¶
Most smart home devices are controlled by the Internet of Things (IoT) and can likewise be utilized by your abuser to monitor you remotely. Ensure that no one else accesses smart home devices that you may have introduced in your home. Likewise, have an expert scan your home and your vehicle for bugs and GPS trackers.
Secure Your Personal Data ¶
Abusers can take away valuable documents like driver’s permit, medicinal records, immigration papers, birth declarations, and so forth from their culprits. This is a strategy to keep up control with respect to the abuser. Assume back responsibility for your life by storing your sensitive information and records past their span.
Secure Your Online Presence ¶
You also need to secure your online accounts, including social media accounts and email records to prevent interruption. Utilize two-factor authentication to secure your social media and email accounts. Abusers ordinarily utilize these online platforms to stalk their victims.
Check for GPS Trackers in Your Car ¶
If you are not an expert of motor vehicles, it may be hard to recognize any physical adjustments or connections to your car. Contract a specialist (an electrician, for instance) to clear for bugs and GPS trackers in your vehicle.
Encode Your Communications ¶
Whever applicable, use coded communication channels when contacting your loved ones. Numerous online networking applications, for instance, Viber, Telegram, and WhatsApp have encryption functionalities that make it hard for stalkers and abusers even if they manage to access your cell phone.
Always use these tips to leverage technology to enhance security, protection, and freedom. Continually secure your gadgets, ensure that your phone, PC, vehicle, and other IoT-enabled devices can be trusted, back up your data, and develop a secure correspondence with your friends and family.
