How to Report a Deepfake: Every Platform and Legal Option
Reporting a deepfake requires parallel action across multiple channels: platform reports, federal legal notices under the TAKE IT DOWN Act, and potentially law enforcement reports. Each channel serves a different purpose and timeline.
When you find a deepfake, the instinct to report it immediately is correct, but which channel you use matters. Platform reports go into a standard moderation queue that may take days or weeks. Legal notices under the TAKE IT DOWN Act trigger a mandatory 48-hour response. Law enforcement reports create a criminal record that may lead to prosecution of the creator. This guide covers every reporting option and when to use each.
Platform in-app reporting
Every major platform has an in-app reporting mechanism. For intimate deepfakes, select the 'Nudity', 'Non-consensual intimate images', or 'Deepfake' category, the specific label varies by platform. Platform reports typically take 1 to 14 days to process through standard moderation. Meta platforms (Instagram, Facebook) have a dedicated NCII reporting portal. X (Twitter) and Reddit have specific policies for non-consensual intimate imagery. In all cases, document your report with a screenshot, including the report confirmation if one is provided.
TAKE IT DOWN Act legal notices
The most powerful reporting tool is a formal 47 U.S.C. 223a notice under the TAKE IT DOWN Act. This is not a platform report, it is a legal notice that triggers a mandatory 48-hour removal obligation. Platforms that receive a compliant notice cannot treat it as a standard moderation request. ScanErase finds every platform where your content appears in one scan, so you can file a compliant notice with each, yourself.
Federal law enforcement: FBI IC3
File a report at ic3.gov (the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center) for the federal criminal offense of publishing non-consensual intimate AI imagery. Your report creates a federal case file. While individual cases are not all investigated, aggregated IC3 data drives federal investigations of repeat offenders and platforms that systematically host NCII. Include all documentation: screenshots, URLs, detection results, and any identifying information about the creator.
State reporting and criminal complaints
26 states have criminal laws specifically covering non-consensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated NCII. Your state attorney general's office and local police department may accept criminal complaints. In states with criminal deepfake statutes, creating and distributing AI intimate imagery can result in criminal charges against the creator. Check ScanErase's state laws directory for your state's specific laws and reporting contacts.
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Use free detectorFrequently asked questions
Which reporting channel is fastest?
TAKE IT DOWN Act legal notices create a mandatory 48-hour platform response. In-platform reports typically take 1 to 14 days. Legal notices are significantly faster and have legal weight that standard reports do not.
Do I need a lawyer to send a TAKE IT DOWN Act notice?
No. The TAKE IT DOWN Act creates a direct right for victims to submit notices without legal representation. ScanErase's automated process generates compliant notices without requiring a lawyer.
What happens if a platform ignores my report?
Platforms that ignore compliant TAKE IT DOWN Act notices face federal liability. Document all ignored notices and report the platform's non-compliance to the FTC (ftc.gov/complaint) and FBI IC3. Persistent non-compliance can escalate to platform-level enforcement action.
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