ENSURING A SAFE DIGITAL SPACE FOR WOMEN: LEGAL CHALLENGES IN DRUG ABUSE PREVENTION AND DATA PRIVACY

The integration of digital technology has profoundly reshaped women’s safety in contemporary society, expanding access to education, entrepreneurship, healthcare, and global advocacy networks. Yet, alongside these advancements emerge significant risks, including online harassment, identity theft, AI-driven surveillance, and exclusion from digital policymaking. This study conducts a doctrinal legal analysis of India's legislative landscape to assess how digital frameworks address the intersection of gender, data privacy, and drug-related vulnerabilities. Central to the inquiry are three statutes: the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act (1985), the Information Technology Act (2000), and the recently enacted Digital Personal Data Protection Act (2023), which collectively form the statutory foundation for regulating online threats and personal data governance. The paper also evaluates pivotal judicial precedents and international legal instruments, including the Budapest Convention on Cybercrime, to identify normative gaps and implementation challenges. Findings reveal that existing laws inadequately address gendered dimensions of cybercrime, particularly for women recovering from addiction or at risk of digital exploitation. The increasing reliance on AI-enabled predictive policing in drug enforcement, while enhancing state capabilities, poses substantial risks to privacy, due process, and non-discrimination. The study advocates a multi-dimensional legal reform agenda that includes gender-sensitive data protection, enhanced intermediary liability, and robust digital rights frameworks. Recommendations include mandatory training for law enforcement on gendered cyber threats, participatory policymaking, and the adoption of a rights-based approach to digital governance. Through inclusive and forward-looking legal strategies, India can build a secure and equitable digital ecosystem that upholds the dignity, autonomy, and rights of all women—especially those confronting intersectional vulnerabilities.