Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Police has issued a strong warning against recording and sharing visuals that violate an individual's privacy, stressing that human suffering, death, accidents, and moments of personal grief should not be treated as content for social media.

In a Facebook post, the police said the growing tendency to use mobile phone cameras to intrude into people's private lives is a serious challenge to fundamental rights and personal freedom.

"Human suffering, death, public crises and accidents have become tools for some people to attract viewers on social media. Unnecessary interference and invasion of privacy are challenges to a person's basic rights and freedoms," the post stated.

The police reminded the public that the Right to Privacy is a fundamental right guaranteed under the Indian Constitution. Recording or sharing private images or videos without a person's consent could invite legal action.

Citing Section 66E of the Information Technology Act, 2000, the police said capturing or circulating images and videos that violate an individual's privacy is a punishable offence, carrying a prison term of up to three years and a fine of up to Rs 2 lakh.

The warning comes amid widespread criticism on social media over the filming and circulation of visuals from the funeral of veteran Malayalam actor Salim Kumar. Several personalities from cultural, social and film circles had condemned the publication of such footage, arguing that it disregarded the privacy and dignity of grieving family members.