Your Legal Rights as an NCII Victim in Maryland

Maryland NCII Law Overview

Applicable statute: Maryland Criminal Law § 3-809 (Misuse of Electronic Communication or Interactive Computer Service)

Criminal penalty: Misdemeanor (up to 2 years in prison and $5,000 fine)

Civil remedies: injunctive relief, actual damages, and attorney fees

Maryland's NCII framework is part of its broader electronic misuse statute and provides meaningful criminal penalties with up to 2 years in prison for violations. Maryland's civil remedies include attorney fees, which facilitate civil litigation by making contingency representation more viable for victims who cannot afford attorneys by the hour.

Your Rights in Maryland

• Right to 48-hour removal under the TAKE IT DOWN Act
• Right to file a criminal complaint
• Right to civil injunctive relief and attorney fees

How to File in Maryland

File a police report with local law enforcement or the Maryland State Police. The Maryland Attorney General handles consumer protection aspects. Civil claims are filed in Circuit Court.

Local Support Resources

• Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault, mcasa.org
• RAINN National Hotline, 1-800-656-HOPE

Federal Rights Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act

In addition to Maryland state law, the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act (47 U.S.C. 223a) gives you a direct right to demand removal from any covered platform within 48 hours. Covered platforms, those with 10 million or more monthly US active users, face FTC enforcement with civil penalties up to $50,000 per violation per day if they do not comply. ScanErase's biometric scan finds every platform hosting your images, so you can file the formal notice yourself.