Public attention has shifted to Section 67 of the Cybersecurity Act, 2020 (Act 1038) as social media discussions intensify over the circulation of alleged private and intimate recordings in Ghana.
The debate gained momentum between February 12 and 13, 2026, following trending reports on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms about a man identifying himself as Vyacheslav Trahov, also known online as Yaytseslav.
How the Alleged Encounters Took Place
According to widely shared videos, the man approached women in public areas around Accra, particularly near the Accra Mall. The clips show him initiating conversations and recording the interactions.
Social media posts claim that some of the women exchanged phone numbers with him and later visited his apartment. Short, edited versions of the encounters were allegedly posted on TikTok and YouTube, while extended footage was reportedly made available through a paid private subscription channel on Telegram.
One particularly discussed clip allegedly shows a woman identified as Angela at his residence wrapped in a towel — a scene that sparked widespread public concern about consent and privacy.
As outrage grew, many Ghanaians called on authorities to investigate and, if necessary, prosecute the individual for what they describe as criminal conduct.
What Section 67 of the Cybersecurity Act Says
The Cybersecurity Act, 2020 specifically addresses the non-consensual sharing of intimate images.
Key Provisions of Section 67:
It prohibits intentionally distributing or causing the distribution of intimate images or visual recordings of another identifiable person without their consent.
The offence applies where there was a reasonable expectation of privacy at the time the image was created and at the time it was shared.
It must be proven that the distribution was done with intent to cause serious emotional distress.
The Act defines “serious emotional distress” to include mental reactions such as:
Fright
Nervousness
Grief
Anxiety
Worry
Mortification
Shock
Humiliation
Indignity
Physical pain
Penalties
Anyone found guilty under Section 67 faces imprisonment ranging from one to three years upon summary conviction.
Section 68: Threats to Distribute Intimate Content
Section 68 of the same Act criminalizes threats to distribute prohibited intimate images or recordings in a way that would reasonably cause distress.
A person who violates this provision also faces a prison term of one to three years upon conviction.
Legal Context: Privacy Protection in Ghana
Beyond the Cybersecurity Act, Ghana’s constitutional framework also protects individual privacy under Article 18(2) of the 1992 Constitution of Ghana.
Legal experts emphasize that consent extends beyond physical interaction — it includes control over how one’s image and private moments are recorded, stored, and shared.
Social Media Uproar and Ongoing Developments
The controversy has fueled widespread debate online, with hashtags trending and users demanding swift action from law enforcement authorities.
Meanwhile, new reports indicate that the Russian national has deleted videos involving Ghanaian women from his TikTok account following public backlash. His account settings were also reportedly changed, limiting public access to previous content.
A Growing Conversation About Digital Rights
The incident has amplified national conversations about:
Digital privacy protections
Consent in the era of viral content
Monetization of intimate material
Enforcement of Ghana’s cybersecurity laws
As discussions continue, many observers say this case could become a defining moment in how Ghana applies its Cybersecurity Act to protect citizens from non-consensual digital exploitation.
For now, Ghanaians await official confirmation from law enforcement authorities regarding any investigations or charges.
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