“If it's happening anywhere, it's happening on Twitter,” that’s the motto the micro-blogging platform wants us to believe in. But it is time the American online news and social networking service got a reality check on how their platform is turning into one big mess. While it’s become a norm to see foul-mouthed trolls target celebs or even each other, a new kind of menace on Twitter has left us very worried. Before elaborating on our reason for worry, here’s the cause (just a tip of the problem) in the form of a tweet by ‘Delhi Escorts’ reads:

“A recommended incall Or OutcalL Mumbai Escorts Service Facility in Five star Hotei. #SaifAliKhan 🌍https://www.delhiescorts.services/gallery 🌍❀ 08588066730 ❀ #Model #College #Delhi #Noida #Dating #Escorts #Female #Russian #Gurgaon @escortsdelhi69 AIIMS #KeralaFloods May God #AjitWadekar [sic]”.

Just to remind you – prostitution, the practice of sexual service in exchange of payment, is illegal in India.  After Porn Groups on WhatsApp, Prostitution & Escorts Business Flourish On The Messaging App: Report.

As mentioned earlier, we came across the tweet as a part of top tweets for the two most topics trending on Thursday – Ajit Wadekar’s demise on 15th August and Saif Ali Khan’s birthday on 16th August. This Twitter account that goes by the name ‘Delhi Escorts’ and the handle “@escortsdelhi69” is using hashtags of the trending topics to advertise its sex services in the national capital. Prostitution Racket Busted in Hyderabad, 24-Year-Old Mumbai Actress Rescued.

After our initial moment of shock and disbelief, we visited the account, and it could not present a more grim reality. The description of the page reads, “We have hot n sexy Russian Indian Escorts in Delhi CallGirls for Sex in Delhi,” along with contact details. They have also added a website link of an escort service providers for their around two thousand followers. They have posted as many as around 450 media elements full of provocative pictures of half-naked women with titillating messages. Check some of the sample examples from ‘Delhi Escorts’ Twitter handle. Prostitution Racket Busted: Goa Police Rescue 2 Women at a Guesthouse in Anjuna.

Delhi Escorts Twitter Page

“If you are in Delhi and want to enjoy with Delhi Escorts and Call Girls, #SalutingOurHeroes 🌍https://www.delhiescorts.services/gallery 🌍❀ 08588066730 ❀ #Model #College #Delhi #Noida #Dating #Escorts #Female #Russian #Gurgaon @escortsdelhi69 #TuesdayThoughts #Rupee #StayInIndia EP Jayarajan [sic],” this was posted on the eve of 72nd Independence Day, hence the trending hashtags of that particular day.

Delhi Escorts Twitter Page

Another post reads, “Professional & independent #Delhi escorts offer high-grade #Delhi escorts services to deeply satisfy high-profile gentlemen. #MondayMotivation 🌍https://www.delhiescorts.services/gallery 🌍❀ 08588066730 ❀ #Model #College #Delhi #Noida #Dating #Escorts #Female #Russian #Gurgaon @escortsdelhi69 [sic]”. This is tweeted along with pictures of a nearly-naked woman flaunting her bosom.

Delhi Escorts Twitter Page

This message is apparently from the person working as an escort for this company. The tweet reads, “I Am An Delhi Escort Girl. I Deal In Independent Delhi Escort Service. Avail My Escort Service At Your Own Place. #FridayFeeling 🌍https://www.delhiescorts.services/gallery 🌍❀ 08588066730 ❀ #Model #College #Delhi #Noida #Dating #Escorts #Female #Russian #Gurgaon @escortsdelhi69 #KeralaFloods [sic]”. Yes, attaching trending hashtags in their promotional tweets is how they plan on getting discovered at the micro-blogging platform. And, scary but true, they are reaching out.

What makes these tweets scandalous and a reason for our worry? EVERYTHING. Firstly, we've already mentioned that prostitution is illegal in India, making these ‘one-stop-for-sex’ advertisements on a mainstream social media platform accessible to everyone including children. One cannot count out the dangers of sex and child trafficking. Secondly, ‘Delhi Escorts’ can definitely not be the only handle blatantly promoting sexual services on Twitter; there has to be many more, which makes the problem even grimmer.

Twitter chief executive Jack Dorsey had admitted the platform has become a raging dumpster fire with bigotry, hate speeches, death and rape threats. Indian Twitter universe is no different. In fact, it is proving to be as corrosive as others worldwide. And now with this new nuisance rearing its head, the digital space is headed towards the absolute worst. It is high time Twitter India and the Government of India take note of the crass usage of internet and social media and bring the nuisance an end to it.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Aug 16, 2018 01:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).