What to Do If Your Images Are Shared Online

Discovering that your intimate images have been shared without consent is a crisis. The most important immediate actions — documentation and evidence preservation — often conflict with the instinct to have the content removed as quickly as possible. This guide explains how to do both effectively. The TAKE IT DOWN Act gives you a right to mandatory 48-hour removal from covered platforms. ScanErase handles the legal notice process; your first step is to preserve evidence before it disappears.

Key facts about this term

1. Document immediately — screenshot before reporting Capture the URL, platform, any usernames, and the full page showing the content. Do this before filing any reports — platforms may remove content before you have documented it.
2. Use ScanErase to scan for all locations and file legal notices Do not limit your search to known locations. ScanErase's biometric scan identifies all platforms hosting your content and sends Section 223a notices with 48-hour deadlines simultaneously.
3. Report to law enforcement if threats or a known perpetrator are involved File with the FBI's IC3 and local law enforcement, especially if the distribution was part of sextortion, cyberstalking, or domestic violence. Evidence preservation is critical for these reports.