Criminal framework

Strafgesetzbuch § 120a (Bildaufnahmen des höchstpersönlichen Lebensbereiches). The statute was enacted 2016, expanded 2021. Up to 1 year imprisonment or fine of up to 720 daily rates.

Civil and data protection framework

GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Datenschutzgesetz provides the parallel civil route. Datenschutzbehörde (DSB) is the national supervisory authority and accepts complaints against any controller processing intimate imagery without lawful basis. The official site is https://www.dsb.gv.at.

Official victim support

Stopline.at is the recognised support service. Available at https://www.stopline.at.

Five step removal process for Austria victims

  1. 1

    Preserve evidence before any contact with the perpetrator

    Capture full page screenshots with URLs visible. Save the original files. Note timestamps. This evidence supports both the § 120a StGB complaint and any GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Datenschutzgesetz request.

  2. 2

    File a criminal complaint under § 120a StGB

    Report to local police or the national cybercrime unit. Stopline.at can assist with the report.

  3. 3

    Submit an erasure request under GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Datenschutzgesetz

    Send a written request to each platform's designated data protection contact citing the legal basis. DSB can be petitioned if the platform fails to comply within 30 days.

  4. 4

    Send a US TAKE IT DOWN Act notice in parallel for covered platforms

    When the platform is subject to US jurisdiction, the 48 hour federal removal obligation applies in parallel with your domestic rights. ScanErase files these notices automatically.

  5. 5

    Track and escalate non compliant platforms

    Document every notice and every response. Escalate non compliant platforms through the regulator complaint process.

Frequently asked questions

What is the criminal NCII statute in Austria?

Strafgesetzbuch § 120a (Bildaufnahmen des höchstpersönlichen Lebensbereiches). Enacted 2016, expanded 2021. Up to 1 year imprisonment or fine of up to 720 daily rates.

Who enforces data protection rights in Austria?

Datenschutzbehörde (DSB) is the national authority. Official site: https://www.dsb.gv.at.

Is there an official victim support service in Austria?

Yes. Stopline.at provides direct help to victims. Site: https://www.stopline.at.

Can a Austria resident also use the US TAKE IT DOWN Act?

Yes when the hosting platform is subject to US jurisdiction. The TAKE IT DOWN Act applies to covered platforms regardless of where the victim resides. ScanErase's scan finds every US covered platform hosting your images, so you can file notices there in parallel with GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Datenschutzgesetz requests.

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