A social media post by a Bengaluru man has sparked heated online debate over privacy, consent, and the objectification of women. Known on X (formerly Twitter) as user "murphyyyy," the man shared a thread featuring women’s Diwali photos, referring to them as "patakas," a Hindi term often used to describe someone as "hot" or "beautiful" but which literally means “firecracker.” The compilation, however, quickly ignited criticism as many viewed it as a violation of personal boundaries and an act of objectification.
The ‘Pataka’ Thread: How It Started
Murphyyyy’s initial post showcased various women’s Diwali photos gathered from across X. Accompanied by the caption, "All the Diwali patakas on Twitter. A thread. Thank me later," the post became an instant focal point of controversy. Some women, uncomfortable with their photos being featured without explicit consent, chose to make their profiles private or delete their photos, though others’ pictures remain accessible in the thread.
Backlash Over Privacy and Consent
The thread quickly amassed over 3.8 million views and spurred a significant online backlash. Many users were outraged, questioning murphyyyy’s decision to reshare women’s images without their permission. Critics argued that his actions demonstrated a lack of respect for privacy and consent, pointing out that sharing personal images without asking directly undermines women’s control over their online presence. The general consensus among critics was that murphyyyy’s post was “creepy” and served to objectify women based solely on their appearance.
Defending the Thread: A Response to the Criticism
Rather than removing the controversial post, murphyyyy chose to respond with a rebuttal. He shared screenshots from posts where women had referred to themselves as “patakas,” questioning the backlash by implying a double standard. His response read, “Your ‘pataka’ pataka, my ‘pataka’ rapist misogynist creep blah blah? [sic]" – essentially challenging critics on why it was acceptable for women to use the term but inappropriate when he did.
Moreover, murphyyyy asserted that his actions were within X's guidelines. Emphasising that he only quoted these images rather than downloading and reposting them independently, he directed critics to take their complaints to X’s CEO, Elon Musk, if they disagreed. He added, “Just for people teaching me how to spell ‘consent’: I did not download their media and posted it from my account. I have quoted it. If you have a problem with how quotes work, make your account private or take this issue to Elon Musk."
The Platform’s Policy on Sharing Content
In support of his stance, murphyyyy referenced X's user policy, which states, “What’s yours is yours.” According to the platform, this means that while users retain copyright over their posted content, X provides an open platform where others can quote or retweet posts publicly visible on the platform. By drawing attention to this policy, murphyyyy argued that his thread adhered to X's terms, under which content posted publicly can be reshared.
A Broader Conversation on Consent in the Digital Age
The incident has sparked a larger conversation about privacy, digital consent, and the ethics of content sharing. Social media platforms often operate under terms of service that grant other users the right to reshare publicly available content.
While murphyyyy’s use of the term “pataka” and his approach to sharing these images may have followed X's policies, critics argue that it nonetheless crosses ethical boundaries. The debate continues to highlight a gray area within digital consent, where the open nature of social media platforms clashes with individuals’ desires for control over their personal image.
It’s evident that this individual holds a skewed and deeply misogynistic understanding of women and consent. His recent actions, along with previous posts, highlight a troubling pattern of behaviour that reflects harmful, and patriarchal views on women’s autonomy and boundaries. This situation serves as a stark reminder that many men still need to critically examine and unlearn ingrained attitudes towards women, particularly regarding consent and respect in public and online spaces.
The need for self-awareness and empathy is crucial—before sharing or commenting, individuals should pause, reflect, and consider the potential impact of their words and actions. Unlearning these damaging notions isn’t just necessary; it’s long overdue.
Personal views expressed by the author are their own
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