Criminal framework

Code pénal article 371/1 (voyeurisme et diffusion non consentie d'images sexuelles). The statute was enacted Loi du 4 mai 2020. From 6 months to 5 years imprisonment.

Civil and data protection framework

GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) provides the parallel civil route. Autorité de protection des données / Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit (APD/GBA) is the national supervisory authority and accepts complaints against any controller processing intimate imagery without lawful basis. The official site is https://www.autoriteprotectiondonnees.be.

Official victim support

Stop ItNow Belgium is the recognised support service. Available at https://stopitnow.be.

Five step removal process for Belgium 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 Article 371/1 Code pénal complaint and any GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) request.

  2. 2

    File a criminal complaint under Article 371/1 Code pénal

    Report to local police or the national cybercrime unit. Stop ItNow Belgium can assist with the report.

  3. 3

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

    Send a written request to each platform's designated data protection contact citing the legal basis. APD/GBA 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 Belgium?

Code pénal article 371/1 (voyeurisme et diffusion non consentie d'images sexuelles). Enacted Loi du 4 mai 2020. From 6 months to 5 years imprisonment.

Who enforces data protection rights in Belgium?

Autorité de protection des données / Gegevensbeschermingsautoriteit (APD/GBA) is the national authority. Official site: https://www.autoriteprotectiondonnees.be.

Is there an official victim support service in Belgium?

Yes. Stop ItNow Belgium provides direct help to victims. Site: https://stopitnow.be.

Can a Belgium 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) requests.

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