An Online Friend Shared My Intimate Images
NCII laws apply to intimate images shared by online contacts, not just in-person relationships. Find where your face appears online, regardless of how you know the person who shared it.
Non-consensual intimate imagery laws do not distinguish between offline and online relationships. Intimate images shared without consent by someone you only know online, whether a gaming friend, social media connection, dating app contact, or online community member, constitute NCII, with the same implications under state laws.
The online nature of the relationship can complicate identifying the individual responsible, but there are methods to help. IP addresses, account information, and message history can assist in revealing identities through cooperation with platforms. Law enforcement may obtain this information through proper legal channels if you choose to file a report.
To discover where your content appears: ScanErase's biometric scan identifies all locations where your content is found online, regardless of who shared it. You can see your exposure report to track where your images are being used without consent.
What to do right now
- Start a biometric scan immediatelyYour exposure report is independent of identifying the online contact who shared it.
- Preserve all evidence of the online relationship and the sharingScreenshots of profiles, messages, and the shared content are useful for future reference.
- Block the person across all platformsPrevents additional distribution and direct harassment.
- File a police reportLaw enforcement can subpoena platform records to identify real identities behind online accounts.
- Report the account to each platformReport for NCII through each platform's reporting tool.
Common questions
Is it harder to prosecute NCII when the perpetrator is only known by an online name?
Investigation can be more complex when the perpetrator is anonymous online, but law enforcement has tools to help identify individuals behind accounts. Consider filing a complaint even if you do not know the person's real name.
The images were shared in an online community I am part of. Do I have to leave the community?
You are not obligated to leave any community. If the community is where the images were shared, that community may be included in your police report for further action.
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