An alarming case of digital voyeurism has come to light in Bengaluru. An Instagram account was caught sharing unsolicited photos and videos of women travelling on the city’s Namma Metro. The page, titled “Bangalore Metro Chicks,” reportedly uploaded covert images of unsuspecting female passengers, sparking widespread outrage and prompting swift action from authorities. The police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) and are investigating the individuals behind the account.
Women’s Privacy Breached On Bengaluru Metro
The account is called “Bangalore Metro Clicks” and the Instagram handle is: @metro_chicks https://t.co/OOxjQBrAYF
The person behind this is filming unsuspecting women commuters —often zoomed in on their faces or bodies turning public transport into a playground for voyeurism. pic.twitter.com/GmxJeBbswD
— Mr Ray (@ray_hitmann) May 18, 2025
An X user brought the issue to light by exposing the account and sparking widespread public outrage. The incident has triggered serious concerns about the safety and privacy of women in public spaces. As reported by NDTV, the Instagram account operated anonymously and gained attention for publishing voyeuristic images taken without consent. These images were primarily captured on Namma Metro, where women passengers were unaware of being photographed or filmed.
Also Read: Bengaluru Metro: Karnataka CM Calls Fare Hike ‘Abnormal’; Asks BMRCL To Look Into The Matter
The page’s content blatantly violated women’s privacy and dignity by featuring them without their knowledge or permission. This situation shows how people can misuse social media to exploit and objectify others.
FIR Filed, Instagram Account Traced For Threatening Women’s Privacy
Following a series of complaints, Bengaluru police acted promptly and registered an FIR under relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Information Technology Act. As reported by The Times of India, the police cybercrime unit has begun efforts to identify the persons responsible for operating the account and posting unauthorised content. Authorities have also contacted Instagram’s parent company, Meta, to obtain details that could assist in the investigation.
Also Read: Bengaluru Metro: Tobacco Use Spitting To Attract Fines; Passengers To Be Randomly Checked For Gutka
The Instagram account has since been taken down. However, screenshots and reposts of the content continue to circulate, compounding the issue and underlining the urgency for stronger digital safety measures.
Need For Digital Accountability
The Bengaluru Metro privacy breach serves as a wake-up call about the vulnerabilities people, particularly women, face in public and digital spaces. As public transport systems become more interconnected with online platforms, accountability becomes crucial.
Also Read: Bengaluru Metro Chaos: 10-Minute Train Gaps On Monday Morning Spark Commuter Outrage
The incident also demonstrates the importance of community vigilance. Several netizens flagged the account, leading to its exposure. According to The Economic Times, these collective actions played a vital role in bringing the issue to the authorities’ attention quickly.
Call For Stronger Safeguards
This incident is not just a one-off violation; it reflects a growing trend where digital tools are misused to exploit others. With the Bengaluru Metro privacy breach now under formal investigation, many are calling for enhanced security measures in public places and stricter enforcement of cyber laws to deter similar incidents in the future.
Also Read: Bengaluru Metro Fare Hike Deals Heavy Blow To Station Retailers As Sales Drop By 40 Percent
Authorities urge commuters to stay alert and report any suspicious behaviour. As the investigation unfolds, the case will likely influence future policy discussions around digital privacy and public safety.
Cover Image Courtesy: Wikimedia Commons & @ray_hitmann / X