Online Safety · URGENCY: HIGH
Social Media Problem — Hacked, Impersonated or Harmful Content
For a hacked account, use the platform’s recovery flow. For a fake/impersonating account or harmful content, report it in-app and to the platform’s India Grievance Officer under the IT Rules, 2021 — if it isn’t resolved in time, appeal to the Government’s Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC). Report any crime on cybercrime.gov.in.
Most social-media problems have two tracks: recovering or securing your own account, and getting a fake account or harmful content actioned by the platform. India’s IT Rules give you a Grievance Officer and an appeal route (GAC) when a platform doesn’t respond.
What to do now
- If your account was hacked, start with the platform recovery flow (see our account-hacked guide).
- For a fake account, impersonation or harmful content, report it in-app first.
- For intimate or morphed images, treat it as sextortion and report on cybercrime.gov.in immediately.
How to get it resolved
- 01
Secure your own account
If it was hacked or accessed, recover it and turn on two-factor authentication. See the dedicated account-hacked guide.
Account hacked — recovery guide - 02
Report in-app
Use the platform’s built-in “report” on the profile, post or message — the fastest route for clear violations and impersonation.
- 03
Contact the India Grievance Officer
Every major platform must have an India Grievance Officer under the IT Rules, 2021. Use the platform’s India grievance page (listed on our homepage) if in-app reporting doesn’t resolve it.
- 04
Appeal to the GAC
If the platform’s Grievance Officer doesn’t resolve your complaint within the applicable time window, you can appeal to the Government’s Grievance Appellate Committee.
Grievance Appellate Committee (GAC) - 05
Report a crime to NCRP
Threats, stalking, impersonation, financial fraud or sexual content are offences — report on cybercrime.gov.in in parallel with the platform.
National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal
Documents to keep available
- Links to the fake profile, post or message
- Screenshots of the content and any impersonation
- Your own account details, if recovery is involved
- Any in-app complaint / ticket reference numbers
Requirements may vary by case and authority.
What not to do
- Do not pay anyone claiming they can “take down” content or “recover” an account for a fee.
- Do not delete the evidence before reporting.
- Do not engage or argue with an impersonator — report instead.
Frequently asked questions
A fake account is impersonating me — what do I do?
Report it in-app for impersonation, then use the platform’s India Grievance Officer channel. If unresolved in time, appeal to the GAC. If it’s being used to defraud people, also report on cybercrime.gov.in.
The platform ignored my complaint — is there an appeal?
Yes. Under the IT Rules, 2021 you can appeal an unresolved Grievance Officer decision to the Grievance Appellate Committee (gac.gov.in) within the applicable window.
Official resources
When professional assistance may be appropriate
Where an issue significantly affects your legal position, banking access, livelihood or business, or involves a notice, investigation or multiple jurisdictions, consider advice from an appropriate qualified professional.
Relevant professional types: Cyber crime lawyer
Need help with this issue?Sources: IT Rules, 2021 · National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in) · Grievance Appellate Committee (gac.gov.in)
Last reviewed: 30 August 2026. This independent guide is general information, not legal advice, and does not control official investigations or processes.