Cyber exploitation as a legal concept encompasses a range of conduct: hacking to obtain intimate images; distributing those images for reputational harm or financial extortion; using personal information for identity theft; and targeting individuals with coordinated harassment campaigns. The term is used by law enforcement agencies including the FBI and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children. While not itself a specific statutory term in most jurisdictions, cyber exploitation describes the overarching pattern of conduct that several specific laws now address, including the TAKE IT DOWN Act for intimate imagery.

Key facts about this term

  1. Cyber exploitation of intimate images is federally criminalized The TAKE IT DOWN Act, the Computer Fraud and Abuse Act, and interstate stalking statutes all address components of intimate image-based cyber exploitation.
  2. Financial exploitation is covered by extortion statutes Using intimate images to demand money is covered by federal extortion law (18 U.S.C. § 875) in addition to NCII-specific statutes.
  3. Minors receive additional protection Cyber exploitation of minors is covered by CSAM statutes, mandatory reporting laws, and NCMEC's Take It Down program, which provides hash-matching removal for minors' intimate images.

Frequently asked questions

Is cyber exploitation the same as cybercrime?

Cyber exploitation is a subset of cybercrime that focuses specifically on using digital tools to victimize or harm individuals. Not all cybercrime is exploitation (e.g., infrastructure attacks).

What federal agencies handle cyber exploitation cases?

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), the Department of Homeland Security, and the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children all have mandates covering different aspects of cyber exploitation.

Related glossary terms