Why this matters for ex partner deepfake on 4chan

How removal works

The four step deepfake removal process under the TAKE IT DOWN Act of 2026.

What to do, step by step

  1. 01
    Forensically preserve every instance before any other action Capture full page screenshots with the URL bar visible, save the highest resolution copy of the deepfake images available, and document any visible AI generator fingerprints including watermarks, edge blending artifacts, and skin texture inconsistencies. Full page screenshots of every URL where the deepfake content appears, with the URL bar visible
  2. 02
    Run a biometric scan to find every copy across platforms ex partner deepfake content distributed on 4chan rarely stays there. ScanErase indexes 2.4 billion face embeddings across 200 plus platforms and identifies every current hosting location in a single scan, including mirror copies and AI generated variants.
  3. 03
    Complete the forensic preservation record Captures and preserves all deepfake content in a forensically sound manner that supports both criminal prosecution and civil litigation. Evidence preservation must occur before any takedown action because removed content cannot always be recovered. For ex partner deepfake cases on 4chan specifically, capture the platform unique identifiers including post id, account handle, and timestamp. Capture the thread URL, the post number, and any image hashes shown in the thread. 4chan rotates image filenames so the same image can appear under multiple URLs in the same thread.
  4. 04
    Do not contact the perpetrator before notices are filed Do not contact the ex partner before evidence is preserved and notices are filed. Confrontation gives them time to delete content, claim the AI nature is a defense, and craft a denial. All communication during the active removal phase should be through counsel. The perpetrator's behavior during this period is critical evidence.
  5. 05
    Coordinate the 4chan platform removal pipeline 4chan threads expire automatically. Active removal requires emailing dmca@4chan.org with the thread URL. Archive sites such as warosu and archive.4plebs require separate filings.
  6. 06
    Escalate through hosting and CDN if required 4chan threads are auto archived to third party archives within hours of posting. Removal from 4chan does not remove from archives. Archive site removal requires separate notices to each archive operator.
  7. 07
    File the complete evidence record for the legal track Federal Rules of Evidence 902 for self authenticating digital evidence provides the foundational legal basis for this action. Document every notice sent, every platform response, and every confirmation in a single evidence file. ScanErase produces this Verified Removal Package automatically as your case progresses.

The 48 hour statutory deadline

Statutory 48 hour removal timeline: 47 USC 223a requires platforms to remove non-consensual intimate imagery within 48 hours of a valid notice.

Legal context

Frequently asked questions

What if the perpetrator was previously in a consensual relationship with me?

A prior consensual relationship is not a defense to AI generated NCII production or distribution. Consent to a relationship is not consent to AI deepfake creation, and the TAKE IT DOWN Act explicitly removes consent at creation as a defense for the distribution of deepfake content.

How long will 4chan actually take to remove the deepfake content?

4chan typically responds in approximately 24 hours when a properly formatted statutory notice is filed. ScanErase files the notice within 5 minutes of authorization and tracks compliance through your Verified Removal Package.

What if the deepfake content is removed before I can complete the evidence preservation?

Even removed content typically remains recoverable through Internet Archive captures, search engine cached copies, and witness reproduction. The platform itself retains records that are recoverable through subpoena. Document everything you can about the URL, posting account, and timing even if the content itself is no longer accessible.

What if the perpetrator re uploads the deepfake to 4chan after removal?

4chan retains hash signatures of removed NCII content which prevents identical re uploads to the same platform. A follow-up ScanErase scan checks for re uploads across all 200 plus indexed platforms, including AI generated variant versions, so you can file a new notice as soon as matches reappear.

Will the preserve the evidence action reveal my identity to 4chan or the perpetrator?

Complete forensic record of the deepfake content with chain of custody documentation that supports admissibility in both criminal and civil proceedings. The disclosure scope is limited to what the action requires. Your scan and removal process is not disclosed to employers, family, or any third parties beyond the recipients required by the specific legal procedure.

I searched my ex made deepfakes of me and found this guide. What is the very first thing I should do right now?

Before any other action, forensically preserve the evidence with full page screenshots and the highest resolution file copies you can obtain. Do not contact the ex partner before evidence is preserved and notices are filed. Confrontation gives them time to delete content, claim the AI nature is a defense, and craft a denial. Once evidence is preserved, the 4chan takedown notice and the preserve the evidence action can proceed in parallel.