Discovering that your intimate content or nudes of you have been shared online without your consent or knowledge is a distressing experience that takes many victims by surprise. Whether the content was leaked by a cybercriminal or shared in violation of agreed terms, the toll that this type of abuse takes is immense.
While removing this content can feel overwhelming, it is possible with the right steps and resources. This guide provides actionable advice to help you navigate this challenging situation and regain control of your digital presence.
Can you Get Your Nudes Deleted From The Internet?
The answer is complicated and often depends on the context. In cases where content is shared without consent, such as sextortion or revenge porn, many platforms have clear policies and operating procedures to facilitate removal.
Social Media giants like Facebook and Instagram have robust systems(1) for reporting and combating the sharing of Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII). Similarly, popular search engines like Google and Bing offer tools to remove links to such content from their search results. While these processes are time consuming, they are a great first step to protect your digital reputation and mitigate any potential exposure.
However, there are also situations where intimate content may be shared with some level of initial consent, as seen with adult film stars and other such content creators. Even in these cases, where the subject of the film consented and was compensated for the content there are specific rules and legal tools these models may use when the content is shared outside of the agreed terms.
These scenarios highlight the blurred lines between consensual and non-consensual sharing, which is why different platforms can have different responses to your request for removal.
Steps For Victims of NCII To Remove Their Nudes From Sites
The steps you will need to take depend largely on where the content was published. Below are strategies tailored to the platform that hosts the content.
If Published On A Social App.
If your content was shared on a major social media platform, you should immediately report it to the platform’s administrators. While many of these platforms rely on bots to respond to all inquiries, they are still affective with responding to NCII issues in a timely fashion.
- Facebook & Instagram (Meta): Meta has implemented key practices when dealing with cases of leaked nudes and similar content. You’ll need to submit a report through their support chat submitting both the person who leaked the content as well as the content in question. They use this information and unique image identifiers to prevent re-upload to their platforms. To report your NCII issue to Meta, click here.
- Twitter/X: This platform has a full non-consensual nudity policy and works to prevent image re-upload using tools like PhotoDNA(2) and similar hashing technologies. They are also a participant in Meta’s StopNCII.org(3). To file a complaint to X administrators, click here.
- Snapchat: Snapchat requires you to flag the content specifically by choosing the post and reporting in using the three dots pop-up. By reporting the post you’ll also report the account that shared it. For information on reporting a post to Snapchat, click here.
- TikTok: TikTok requires users to report NCII content through their community guidelines violation form. This must be done in the application.
If Published on an Adult Website or Message Board
Adult websites vary wildly in their compliance with removal requests. Start by reviewing your site’s policies for handling non-consensual intimate content. Most of these sites should have either a “Terms of Service,” “Privacy Policy,” or “Content Guidelines,” in the footer of their website where they post details on how to request removal of content. There are some message board sites like Tumblr which have a reputation for being hard to deal which is why you may want to consider enlisting the services of an attorney that specializes in the use of a DMCA takedown notice. Legal representation can help expedite cases of NCII where the host site is not compliant.
Reporting to Search Engines
Search engines like Google and Bing provide tools to remove links to non-consensual content from search results:
- Google: Google has implemented a tool “Remove Content from Google”. Using this, anyone can request takedowns of sensitive information of content. They also implement certain Hash-Based Matching processes to prevent re-upload
- Bing: Bing is a partner organization of StopNCII and suggest that users use this tool when reporting content for take down.
Other Resources
There are hundreds of organizations in the fields of cybersecurity and SaaS software that offer tools for the removal of leaked content. If you choose to enlist the help of any of these organizations, be sure to get clarity on their process for monitoring and detecting potential re-uploads of your content. While these services can provide an additional layer of protection and peace of mind, they do charge for these services.
Special Considerations for Minors
If the victim is a minor, the situation becomes even more urgent. Luckily most countries employ specialized organizations at the national level to combat this from of abuse. In the United States, there is the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)(4). This organization provides services for minors in the U.S. and work closely with law enforcement to expedite relief for these victims. If you are one such victim, click here.
Can Someone Repost the Content?
Unfortunately, the risk of re-upload is real. While some services like StopNCII employ hash-based matching to prevent re-upload of the same image, criminals can work around these tools through the deployment of editing software or AI technology to change the image just enough to not trigger a match with the hash.
This is why victims may wish to employ a private monitoring service to detect an work against any re-uploads.
Stop Re-Uploads by Fighting the Criminal Who Posted Them
Taking action against the person responsible for posting your content is a critical step in preventing further harm. Digital Forensics Corp (DFC) works closely with our clients to identify and pursue perpetrators of non-consensual intimate content (NCII). Our team provides the tools and expertise needed to track down offenders and support victims in seeking justice and protecting their digital reputation.
If you’ve been a victim, contact our helpline to speak with a representative and learn more about your options. While the road to resolution may be challenging, know that help is available, and you don’t have to face this alone. Contact DFC today at 888.521.1551 for immediate and confidential help.
Resources:
- https://about.fb.com/news/2021/12/strengthening-efforts-against-spread-of-non-consensual-intimate-images/
- https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/photodna/cloudservice
- https://stopncii.org/create-your-case/
- https://www.missingkids.org/theissues/sextortion
DISCLAIMER: THIS POST IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSIDERED LEGAL ADVICE ON ANY SUBJECT MATTER. DIGITAL FORENSICS CORP. IS NOT A LAWFIRM AND DOES NOT PROVIDE LEGAL ADVICE OR SERVICES. By viewing posts, the reader understands there is no attorney-client relationship, the post should not be used as a substitute for legal advice from a licensed professional attorney, and readers are urged to consult their own legal counsel on any specific legal questions concerning a specific situation.
