What can someone do if an ex-partner threatens to hack their accounts and track their location?

What crimes apply right now

Threatening to hack someone's accounts is already an offence under the IT Act 2000, even before the person actually does anything. The moment they dishonestly access or attempt to access accounts or data:

"If any person, dishonestly or fraudulently, does any act referred to in section 43, he shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to five lakh rupees or with both."

[Information Technology Act 2000 §66]

If they actually get into accounts or use someone's passwords:

"Whoever, fraudulently or dishonestly make use of the electronic signature, password or any other unique identification feature of any other person, shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to three years and shall also be liable to fine with may extend to rupees one lakh."

[Information Technology Act 2000 §66C]

A screenshot of a "hacking tool" sent as a threat is evidence — save it immediately.

🔴 Do these 5 things right now

1. Screenshot and save everything

• The threatening messages
• The screenshot of the hacking tool
• Any voice notes, call logs
• Save to Google Drive or email so it's backed up off-device

2. Secure accounts immediately

• Change passwords on Instagram, Gmail, WhatsApp — everything
• Turn on 2-Factor Authentication (2FA) on all accounts
• Revoke app access: Google Account → Security → Third-party apps → remove anything unfamiliar
• Check Instagram → Settings → Apps and Websites → remove unknown logins
• Log out all other devices on WhatsApp (Linked Devices → log out all)

3. File a cybercrime complaint online — right now, from home

• Go to cybercrime.gov.in
• Click "Report Cyber Crime" → "Report Other Cyber Crimes"
• Upload the screenshots as evidence
• This generates a complaint number and routes it to the Cyber Cell

4. File a police FIR

Under The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, a complaint can be filed at any police station — it is not necessary to go to the station nearest to where the person making the threat lives:

"Every information relating to the commission of a cognizable offence, irrespective of the area where the offence is committed, may be given orally or by electronic communication to an officer in charge of a police station."

[The Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 §173]

The complainant should walk in with saved screenshots and ask for an FIR under IT Act §66/§66C and criminal intimidation. If the police station refuses to register the FIR, the complaint can be sent in writing by post to the Superintendent of Police.

5. Consider a Protection Order

Since this involves controlling and threatening behaviour in an intimate relationship, the complainant can approach a Magistrate's court or a Protection Officer under the Protection of Women from Domestic Violence Act, 2005. This applies even to non-live-in intimate relationships.

Key helplines to call now

JaanoHaq provides general legal information based on publicly available Indian statutes and government portals. It is not legal advice and does not create an advocate–client relationship. Free legal aid is available via your District Legal Services Authority — eligibility under the Legal Services Authorities Act 1987 §12 covers women, children, SC/ST, persons with disabilities, industrial workers, victims of trafficking, and persons below your state's notified income threshold.