Criminal framework

Strafgesetzbuch § 201a (Verletzung des höchstpersönlichen Lebensbereichs durch Bildaufnahmen). The statute was enacted 2004, expanded 2015 and 2021. Up to 2 years imprisonment or fine. Up to 5 years where the image is made accessible to a third party.

Civil and data protection framework

GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Bundesdatenschutzgesetz provides the parallel civil route. Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit (BfDI) is the national supervisory authority and accepts complaints against any controller processing intimate imagery without lawful basis. The official site is https://www.bfdi.bund.de.

Official victim support

Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen is the recognised support service. Available at https://www.hilfetelefon.de.

Five step removal process for Germany 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 § 201a StGB complaint and any GDPR Article 17 (right to erasure) plus Bundesdatenschutzgesetz request.

  2. 2

    File a criminal complaint under § 201a StGB

    Report to local police or the national cybercrime unit. Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen can assist with the report.

  3. 3

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

    Send a written request to each platform's designated data protection contact citing the legal basis. BfDI 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 Germany?

Strafgesetzbuch § 201a (Verletzung des höchstpersönlichen Lebensbereichs durch Bildaufnahmen). Enacted 2004, expanded 2015 and 2021. Up to 2 years imprisonment or fine. Up to 5 years where the image is made accessible to a third party.

Who enforces data protection rights in Germany?

Bundesbeauftragte für den Datenschutz und die Informationsfreiheit (BfDI) is the national authority. Official site: https://www.bfdi.bund.de.

Is there an official victim support service in Germany?

Yes. Hilfetelefon Gewalt gegen Frauen provides direct help to victims. Site: https://www.hilfetelefon.de.

Can a Germany 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 Bundesdatenschutzgesetz requests.

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