If intimate imagery is shared without consent, prioritize the affected person’s safety and choices. Use the hosting platform’s dedicated reporting route and track search visibility separately, without circulating the material to prove the case.
01
Build a minimal location record
Record where the material appears, the account involved and the date observed. Keep URLs instead of creating unnecessary copies. If there are threats, preserve the threatening communication safely. Do not ask a person to resend intimate files to a general inbox. If the image depicts someone under 18 sexually, never download, screenshot or redistribute it; use official child-safety reporting channels.
02
Submit through the appropriate official process
The FTC’s image-based abuse guidance directs people to platform takedown mechanisms and explains US legal protections for covered platforms. Requirements and legal remedies depend on jurisdiction and circumstances. Read the platform’s current dedicated procedure, including how an authorized representative can act. A search request is an additional task when the material is discoverable through a search engine.
- Identify the exact locations to review.
- Use only the evidence legitimately required by the official process.
- Save submission references without making sensitive material public.
03
Check results and obtain appropriate support
For example, one hosting site may remove an upload while a copied post remains elsewhere. Mark each location’s status and do not describe the first action as complete erasure. Account protection and help with threats may also be needed. The person should not be pressured into direct contact with the uploader or a public statement.
Frequently asked questions
Does consent to taking a photo authorize public sharing?
Do not assume that it does. The circumstances of creation and distribution need to be distinguished when explaining the concern.
Can removal be guaranteed everywhere?
No. Verify identified locations and document remaining copies. A responsible response explains its scope and limitations rather than promising control of the entire internet.
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Request a confidential reviewOr call (307) 429-2531Educational information, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on the facts and decisions made by third parties.