How to Remove Non-Consensual Intimate Images From the Internet

Having intimate images shared without your consent is a serious violation — one that can cause lasting emotional harm and real-world consequences. You are not alone, and you have more tools and legal protections than ever before. This guide walks you through every step you can take right now to get those images removed and protect yourself going forward.

What Counts as Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery?

Non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII), sometimes called "revenge porn," refers to any intimate or sexual image or video of a real person that is shared without their consent. This includes:

• Photos or videos taken consensually but shared without permission
• Images obtained through hacking, theft, or deception
• AI-generated "deepfake" images that place your likeness into sexual content
• Screen recordings or captures of private video calls

Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act, AI-generated deepfakes are explicitly covered — meaning platforms must remove realistic synthetic intimate images of you just as they would remove real photographs.

Step 1: Document Everything Before You Report

Before you contact any platform or submit any form, take time to document the evidence. Courts, law enforcement, and platforms may all need this information.

1. Screenshot each instance — capture the full URL, the content, and any visible usernames or profile information.
2. Record timestamps — note the exact date and time you discovered each image or post.
3. Save URLs — copy the direct links to every page where the content appears.
4. Preserve metadata — if you have access to original files, do not alter them, as metadata can help investigators.

Store copies of this documentation somewhere secure — a password-protected folder, an encrypted cloud drive, or a trusted person's device.

Step 2: Use StopNCII.org — Your Most Powerful First Tool

StopNCII.org is a free service run by the Revenge Porn Helpline in partnership with major technology platforms. It works by creating a digital fingerprint (called a "hash") of your image — the actual image is never uploaded or stored on their servers. That hash is then shared with participating platforms so they can automatically detect and block the image from being uploaded or shared.

Participating platforms currently include:

• Facebook and Instagram (Meta)
• TikTok
• Reddit
• Bumble
• OnlyFans
• Threads
• Pornhub
• Snapchat

StopNCII.org reports an over 90% removal rate across participating platforms. Even if you do not know whether your images are currently circulating on all of these platforms, submitting your images to StopNCII.org provides proactive protection against future spread. The process takes only a few minutes and is entirely confidential.

Step 3: Report Directly to Each Platform

In parallel with StopNCII.org, file a direct report with every platform where you have found the content. Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act, platforms are required to act within 48 hours of your request.

Meta (Facebook and Instagram)

Meta operates a dedicated NCII Reporting Form for non-consensual intimate images. You can also report individual posts directly through the in-app reporting flow by selecting "It's a nude or sexual image" and then "It's of me." Meta's Safety Center provides additional guidance for victims.

Google Search

Google offers a specific removal form for non-consensual intimate imagery in Search results. Removing content from Google Search does not delete it from the original website, but it prevents most people from finding it through a search. Visit Google's "Remove information from Google" help center and select the NCII removal option. Google processes these requests and typically acts quickly once the report is verified.

Other Major Platforms

Most major platforms now have dedicated processes for NCII reports:

• TikTok — Use the in-app report function on the video and select "Nudity or sexual activity." TikTok also accepts reports through its Safety Center.
• Reddit — Submit a report through Reddit's dedicated NCII form, accessible from the site's Help Center.
• Snapchat — Use the in-app "Report" feature on the offending snap or profile.
• Twitter/X — File a report through the platform's intimate media policy page.
• Pornhub and similar sites — Use the "Flag" or "Report" button on any content page. Many adult platforms have become more responsive to NCII removal since the TAKE IT DOWN Act.

Step 4: File a DMCA Takedown If You Own the Copyright

If you were the one who took the photographs or recorded the video, you own the copyright. This gives you an additional powerful tool: a DMCA (Digital Millennium Copyright Act) takedown notice. You can send DMCA notices directly to websites hosting the content and to their hosting providers. Many websites respond faster to copyright complaints than to NCII reports.

To file a DMCA notice you generally need to:

1. Identify yourself as the copyright owner
2. Describe the copyrighted work being infringed
3. Provide the exact URL(s) where the infringing content is hosted
4. Include a statement of good faith belief that the use is unauthorized
5. Sign the notice

Google also accepts DMCA removal requests through its Search Console, which can remove infringing URLs from search results independently of the NCII removal process.

Step 5: Report to Law Enforcement

Non-consensual intimate image sharing is a crime in the vast majority of U.S. states, with many carrying criminal penalties including fines and imprisonment. At the federal level, the TAKE IT DOWN Act creates additional enforcement mechanisms. You have several reporting options:

• Local law enforcement — File a report with your local police department. Bring your documented evidence. Ask specifically about your state's NCII or "revenge porn" statute.
• FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) — Report online at ic3.gov, particularly if the perpetrator is using the images for extortion ("sextortion") or if the situation crosses state lines.
• NCMEC (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) — If the victim is a minor, report immediately to NCMEC via their CyberTipline at missingkids.org. NCMEC works directly with law enforcement and platforms.

Step 6: Address Data Broker Profiles That Enable Targeting

One factor that makes NCII situations worse is how easy it can be for a perpetrator — or strangers who discover the content — to find your home address, phone number, workplace, and other personal details through data broker websites. These profiles aggregate your personal information from dozens of public sources and sell it to anyone who searches your name.

Removing your information from data broker sites is an important protective step. PrivacyOn automates this process, sending opt-out requests to over 100 data brokers on your behalf and monitoring for your information to reappear. Reducing your footprint on data broker sites makes it significantly harder for bad actors to escalate harassment, locate you physically, or contact people in your life.

Step 7: Consider Legal Action Against the Perpetrator

Beyond criminal reporting, you may have civil legal remedies against the person who shared your images. Many attorneys who specialize in cyber harassment and privacy law offer free consultations. Potential civil claims can include invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and violations of state NCII statutes. Some states allow victims to sue for significant damages. Organizations like the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative (cybercivilrights.org) can connect you with legal resources and support.

Getting Emotional Support

The impact of having intimate images shared without your consent extends well beyond the legal and technical steps. Many victims experience anxiety, depression, and difficulty in personal and professional relationships. You do not have to go through this alone.

• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative Crisis Helpline — 1-844-878-2274, available seven days a week
• Crisis Text Line — Text HOME to 741741
• RAINN — 1-800-656-4673 or rainn.org for online chat support

Quick Reference: Action Checklist

1. Document all instances with screenshots, URLs, and timestamps
2. Submit images to StopNCII.org for proactive platform-wide hashing
3. Report directly to each platform where content appears
4. Submit a Google NCII removal request for search results
5. File a DMCA notice if you own the copyright to the images
6. Report to local police, FBI IC3, or NCMEC (for minors)
7. Remove your personal data from data broker sites to reduce targeting risk
8. Consult with a privacy or cyber harassment attorney about civil remedies
9. Seek emotional support — dedicated helplines are available

The legal landscape for victims of NCII has improved dramatically in recent years, and platforms are under greater pressure than ever to act quickly. Taking these steps methodically gives you the best chance of getting content removed, protecting yourself from further harm, and holding perpetrators accountable.