Today, we roam freely across the internet. From alpins to elephants, almost anything can be searched effortlessly online. It has become so routine that people often say, “We need to Google it.” This tendency is increasing day by day.
However, there are certain topics or keywords that, if searched on the internet, can lead to serious consequences, including fines and jail time. Today’s discussion focuses on exactly that.
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What searches are completely banned on the internet?
The most sensitive phrase searched online is “How to make a bomb?” Never enter this phrase into a search engine, even by mistake. If you do, punishment can be inevitable. Making bombs or explosives is prohibited in most countries. As a result, whenever questions or information related to bombs or explosives appear in search engines, surveillance begins immediately. It is assumed that such searches may be linked to sabotage. Law enforcement or relevant agencies can easily trace where such searches originate. Therefore, even out of curiosity, one should refrain from searching for anything related to bombs, guns, or explosives, as it can invite serious trouble.
The second highly sensitive topic is child pornography. Countries across the world are extremely strict about child porn. In India, the POCSO Act exists to curb child abuse and the circulation of child pornography, and it is extremely stringent. Violations can lead to both imprisonment and fines. Similar strict laws exist globally. As a result, websites that secretly spread child porn are regularly banned, and searches related to such content are closely monitored. Strict action is taken against individuals found repeatedly searching for child porn-related material.
Next come searches related to hacking tutorials and software. Hacking is also considered a serious crime. In India, hacking is a punishable offence under the Information Technology Act and the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act. Searching for hacking-related information is often treated as an intent to commit cybercrime, which can result in imprisonment and fines.
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Another common mistake made by many internet users is searching for pirated movies. Surveys indicate that a large number of users look for pirated content online. When a new film releases and there is no time to visit a theatre, people often check whether the movie is available online. Many find such content and download it casually. However, this is a punishable offence. Downloading pirated movies violates intellectual property rights and copyright laws and causes significant losses to the film industry. Consequently, websites offering pirated content are frequently blocked, and users who repeatedly download such material are kept under surveillance. This offence can lead to hefty fines.
But why is there so much surveillance, and how is it carried out? That discussion will follow in the next part.