A 19-minute video that went viral in late November has emerged as a stark warning for internet users about online privacy and misuse of digital content. The clip, reportedly 19 minutes and 34 seconds long, allegedly shows a young couple in an intimate moment and began circulating widely during the last week of November.
While the original source of the video remains unknown, police have clarified that the clip is likely AI-generated. Despite this, it continues to be widely shared, prompting authorities to issue a strong advisory urging people not to forward or upload the video in any form.
How to keep your private videos safe
Digital privacy advocate Jo O’Reilly, speaking to Business Insider, shared key precautions to reduce the risk of private content being misused. She said choosing the right platform is crucial. End-to-end encrypted messaging apps such as Signal, Telegram and WhatsApp offer better protection, while platforms like Instagram or Snapchat still allow screenshots without the sender’s knowledge.
O’Reilly also cautioned users to be mindful of cloud storage settings, as many devices automatically back up photos and videos online, increasing the risk of leaks if accounts are compromised.
She emphasised that digital safety depends not only on technology but also on trust. Users should have clear conversations with recipients about consent, storage and deletion of images. Questions such as where the content will be saved, whether cloud backups are disabled, and whether the recipient will delete the content on request are essential.
“Above all, trust is key. If you do not fully trust the person or feel pressured, do not share private content,” she said.
O’Reilly further advised users to be cautious about identifiable details in images or videos. Faces, tattoos, office backgrounds, logos or location-specific objects can reveal identity. This is particularly important for people in sensitive professions such as teaching or law.
What to do if you are being blackmailed
Police have said that anyone attempting to blackmail individuals using such videos—real or AI-generated—is committing a serious offence. Cyber Cell officer Amit Yadav said victims should approach the police immediately.
Under Section 67 of the Information Technology Act, sharing obscene content can attract up to three years of imprisonment and a fine of ₹5 lakh. Section 67A, which deals with sexually explicit content, carries a penalty of up to five years in jail and a fine of ₹10 lakh, with repeat offences punishable by up to seven years’ imprisonment.
Such acts are also punishable under IPC Sections 292, 293 and 354C. Police have reiterated that sharing or forwarding such videos is a violation of privacy and urged anyone who receives the clip to stop circulating it immediately.