The invention of the Webcam spelled the beginning of online exhibitionism and voyeurism. Not contented with text and voice chats, real-time video added a new dimension to the sleaziness that pervades a part of the online world.

And for the first time, exhibitionists and voyeurs found a medium well-suited to their “needs”. Unfortunately, capitalists took notice and set up businesses that cater to online voyeurs.

Unconvinced? Here are some links:

Task force rescues women, arrests a couple for trafficking
2 foreigners killed in raid on cybersex den
Cops arrest 20 in ‘cybersex’ den raid
19 girls rescued from cyber exploitation

On Google search for “raid on cybersex den”, and see what I mean.

But I always feel sorry for the women who had unwittingly became victims of Webcam abuse. While I respect everyone’s personal conduct on the Web (I’m no puritan), I hope women will be more circumspect, specially when using Web cams.

There are some scrupulous individuals (mostly males) who looks for women chatters in instant messenger chat rooms. They always look in “sleazy” chat rooms and for women chatters with Web cams. When a victim is found, they convince her to do things. And the fools take a screen capture, and distribute the compromising picture to anyone interested.

This racket can even be used for black mail. After all, who wouldn’t protect someone’s reputation?

The Webcam is another piece of technology that is abused. Another sad evidence of man as a perverted animal.

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