The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has issued a notice to the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) requesting a detailed report on the functioning and legality of social media platform Gleeden, following a complaint citing concerns about its impact on individuals and society.
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The action comes after the commission learned of the complaint filed by the Sewa Nyaya Utthan Foundation, which alleged that Gleeden facilitates extramarital affairs by linking married individuals to clandestine interactions.
The complaint alleged that nearly 40,000 Indian users, both men and women, are active on the platform, raising questions about its size and potential consequences. It also cited issues such as abuse through fake identities, the potential exploitation of women, a lack of regulatory oversight, and the risk of minors accessing the platform.
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In a post on X, Priyank Kanungo, a member of the National Human Rights Commission, said the complaint indicates that the platform promotes digital services “only for adultery and sexual invitations.” He warned that such relationships, when exposed, could lead to marriage breakdown, domestic violence and, in extreme cases, suicide. “Extramarital sexual relations conducted in secret can lead to the breakdown of marital relationships and domestic violence when exposed,” he wrote.
The committee also raised broader concerns about whether such a platform is compatible with India’s social and cultural framework. The National Human Rights Commission member noted that Glidden’s services appeared to conflict with the country’s “familial social structure and cultural and religious context,” making it necessary to examine whether its operations were legally permissible under current laws.
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Based on the Ministry’s response, the National Human Rights Committee will decide its next course of action.
