Criminal Liability for Violating a Fiancée's Privacy via Digital Media: An Analytical Study in Light of the Evolution of Cybercrime

Abstract

The engagement phase has undergone a significant, widespread transformation due to the prevalence of social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Privacy concerns regarding the impending marriage have extended into the realm of digital data, information exchange, and online conversations, creating a distinct environment where privacy intersects with individual responsibilities.

The research examines the criminal framework governing digital offenses that may occur during an engagement or after its dissolution—such as cyber-extortion, defamation, invasion of privacy, and impersonation—by analyzing the elements of these crimes, their prescribed penalties, and the adequacy of existing penal provisions in protecting the fiancée. It also addresses the concept of "temporary digital consent" and the implications of its withdrawal—following the termination of the engagement—on criminal liability. The study concludes by emphasizing the need to develop a modern criminal policy that keeps pace with digital transformations and protects women from online exploitation during the pre-marital period.