If someone has targeted you with sexual deepfakes, revenge porn, sextortion, or another form of tech-enabled sexual abuse (TESA), you are not alone.
In most cases, the first step is to report the content directly to the online platform where it appears. Under the TAKE IT DOWN Act, platforms must remove non-consensual intimate images (NCII), including child sexual abuse material (CSAM), within 48 hours of a verified request.
If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 911 or your local emergency services.
How To Report & Remove Non-Consensual Intimate Images (NCII) Online
If someone shared, created, or threatened to share intimate images or videos of you without your consent, there are steps you can take right now. Start by saving evidence, reporting the content to the platform, and protecting your accounts and devices.
Step #1: Preserve the Evidence
If you can do so safely, save screenshots, links, messages, and other details before the content disappears.
Step #2: Report to the Platform
Report the content directly to the platform where it appears, so you can request removal and start a record of your report.
Step #3: Secure Your Accounts
Take steps to protect your accounts, devices, and personal information from further abuse.
Step #4: File a Complaint With the FTC
If the platform has not removed the content 48 hours after your report, you can file a complaint with the FTC.
Step #5: Get Support
You are not alone. Support specialists on RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline are available 24/7/365 with information, resources, and support.
Step #1: Preserve the Evidence
Your first instinct might be to untag yourself or quickly close the page and hope no one else has seen it. However, if you can do so safely, try to preserve evidence of the abuse.
This evidence can help the platform, law enforcement, and courts take action.
Discovering NCII of yourself online can be incredibly difficult. You may feel hurt, anger, embarrassment, or even shame. Try to remember that you didn’t do anything wrong.
Intimate images should never be created or distributed without your full, freely-given consent. When this happens, all blame belongs with the perpetrator.
Consider asking a trusted friend to help you document and report what happened.
Document What Happened
Write down what happened in plain language: who posted it and where, when you found it, and whether threats or extortion were involved.
- Was an intimate photo or video of you shared without consent?
- Did someone use AI to create a sexual “deepfake” photo or video of you and post it without your consent?
- Is someone threatening to share intimate content of you?
- Is the content on one platform or many?
- Does the abuse involve a minor child (under 18)?
Record Key Details
- Screenshots
- Links/URLs
- Account names
- Usernames and handles
- Dates and times
- Threats, messages, or payment demands
- Evidence of prior reports, if any
Step #2: Report To the Platform
In most cases, your first action should be to report the content directly to the platform where it appears. If the content appears in multiple places, report each incident separately.
Social media, messaging apps, and websites should provide tools for reporting abusive content. Once a platform receives a valid report, the TAKE IT DOWN Act generally requires covered platforms to remove non-consensual intimate images within 48 hours.
Select the Platform Where the Content Appears
Report Now to Google Opens in a new tab
Use this link to report non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you that show up in Google Search results.
Reporting Steps for Google Search: Images Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Report to Other Google Platforms Opens in a new tab
Use this link to report non-consensual intimate content involving you that appears on any of these Google platforms:
- Blogger
- Drive
- Groups
- Photos
- Sites
- Classrooms
YouTube
Report Now to YouTube Opens in a new tab
File a Privacy Complaint to report non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Report Other Content to YouTube Opens in a new tab
See the types of content you can report and choose your next step.
Report Now to Facebook Opens in a new tab
Report non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Reporting Steps for Facebook Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Report Other Content to Facebook Opens in a new tab
See the types of content you can report and choose your next step.
More: Learn What Meta is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
Messenger
Reporting Steps for Messenger Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
More: Learn What Meta is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
Reporting Steps for Instagram Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Report Other Content to Instagram Opens in a new tab
See the types of content you can report and choose your next step.
More: Explore Instagram’s Safety Center Opens in a new tab
More: Learn What Meta is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
Reporting Steps for WhatsApp Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
More: Explore WhatsApp’s Safety Center Opens in a new tab
More: Learn What Meta is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
TikTok
Report Now to TikTok Opens in a new tab
Use this link to report non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Report Sexual Harassment to TikTok Opens in a new tab
Use this link if someone’s posts, comments, or content targets you in a sexual way.
More: Learn About Reporting to TikTok Opens in a new tab
More: Explore TikTok’s Safety Center Opens in a new tabConsider asking a trusted friend to help you document and report what happened.
Report Now to Pinterest Opens in a new tab
Use this link to report non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
More: Review Pinterest’s Reporting Guidelines Opens in a new tab
More: Learn What Pinterest is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
Reporting Steps for LinkedIn Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
More: What LinkedIn is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
Reporting Steps for Reddit Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Snapchat
Reporting Steps for Snapchat Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Report if Someone Else Is at Risk on Snapchap Opens in a new tab
Anonymously report when a friend is at risk from harmful content. You and the victim will receive support resources from Snapchat.
More: Explore Snapchat’s Safety & Security Center Opens in a new tab
X (formerly Twitter)
Reporting Steps for X Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
More: Explore X’s Safety & Security Center Opens in a new tab
Telegram
Reporting Steps for Telegram
Opens in a new tabGet instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Email Your Report to Telegram
You can also email Telegram the links to the content you’re reporting.
- abuse@telegram.org
- stopCA@telegram.org (for reporting child abuse)
EU Reporting Steps Opens in a new tab
Use this link if you live in the European Union and want to report illegal content under the Digital Services Act.
More: Learn What Telegram is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
Discord
Report Now to Discord Opens in a new tab
Use this link to report non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Reporting Steps for NCII on Discord Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos of you under the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
Reporting Steps for Parents & Guardians Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for submitting a report to Discord’s Safety team if you are the parent or guardian of a minor experiencing abuse.
Threads
Report Now to Threads Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
More: Learn What Meta is Doing About Tech-Enabled Sexual Abuse Opens in a new tab
Twitch
Reporting Steps for Twitch Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Tumblr
Report Now to Tumblr Opens in a new tab
Use this link to report non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
Reporting Steps for Tumblr Opens in a new tab
Get instructions for reporting non-consensual intimate images (NCII) or videos involving you.
More: Explore Tumblr’s Social & Safety Page Opens in a new tab
Other Reporting & Support Tools
Get the FTC’s Guidelines Opens in a new tab
Explore the Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC) consumer guidance on nonconsensual distribution of intimate images.
Get Guidance from the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative Opens in a new tab
Check out the CCRI Safety Center for step-by-step options and support for image-based sexual abuse.
Note: Platform reporting links and instructions can change. RAINN reviews these pages regularly to ensure working links and accurate reporting options.
Report Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM)
Get the Steps for Reporting CSAM
How do I report child sexual exploitation and abuse?
Report to the CyberTipline if you or someone you know was sexually exploited or abused before age 18.
Go to the CyberTipline Opens in a new tab
1.800.843.5678
What should I report to the CyberTipline?
If someone did any of these things to you or someone you know before age 18, you can report it to the CyberTipline:
- Taking or sharing nude or sexual images or videos of you
- Chatting online with you about sex
- Sexual abuse that happened offline
- Trafficking you for sexual acts
- Sending you sexual emails or texts
Report to the CyberTipline Opens in a new tab
1.800.843.5678
Can I report directly to the U.S. government?
Yes. You can report child sexual exploitation and abuse (CSEA) to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via the Know2Protect Tipline Opens in a new tab.
Know2Protect will review and refer your report to the appropriate government agency or local law enforcement for potential investigation.
Call the Know2Protect Tipline:
833-591-KNOW (5669)
What To Expect After Reporting
After you submit your report, law enforcement may contact you for more information or to collect your digital devices as part of their investigation. Officers should follow strict procedures to protect your privacy and preserve the evidence.
Step #3: Secure Your Accounts & Devices
If someone has shared or threatened to share intimate images of you, they may also have access to your accounts, devices, or private information. These steps can help reduce further harm:
- Log out of shared devices.
- Change passwords for your email, cloud storage, social media, and photo apps.
- Turn on two-factor authentication.
- Review connected devices and active sessions.
- Update privacy settings.
- Block the offender where it feels safe and useful.
Why this matters: Someone who has shared intimate content may also be monitoring your accounts, saving your photos, or trying to regain access.
Pause if safety is a concern: If changing settings could alert the offender or put you at risk, trust your instincts and make a safety plan first.
Ask for help if needed: A trusted person or RAINN support specialist can help you work through these steps one at a time.
Use a Hashing Tool To Help Stop Intimate Images From Spreading
A hash is a digital fingerprint created from a specific image or video on your device. Creating a hash for any intimate, partially nude, nude, or sexually explicit images or videos of you—whether or not it’s already been shared—can help prevent further uploads.
Hashing FAQ
What is hashing and how can it help?
Hashing turns a photo or video into a unique string of data—sometimes called a digital fingerprint.
Participating online platforms can compare that fingerprint against files uploaded to their services. If they find a match, they may:
- Review the content.
- Remove the content.
- Report the content to authorities according to the law and their existing safety protocols.
Hashing can help limit the spread of non-consensual intimate images or sexually explicit content across platforms that participate in the tool.
When you use one of RAINN’s preferred hashing tools, your image or video stays on your device; only the hash gets added to a list available to participating platforms.
Which hashing tool is right for images of children younger than 18?
Take It Down Opens in a new tab is a FREE hashing tool from the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children.
Take It Down is designed for minors and for people whose explicit image or video was taken when they were under 18. It can help with nude, partially nude, or sexually explicit images or videos.
Which hashing tool is right for images of adults 18 and older?
StopNCII Opens in a new tab is a FREE hashing tool for intimate images and videos of adults, including nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit deepfakes.
StopNCII is designed for adults who want to protect intimate images or videos of themselves, including synthetic images or deepfakes if they appear in the content and have access to it.
What are the limitations of hashing?
Hashing is helpful, but it is not a perfect shield.
- Hashiing tools work only on participating platforms, and they work best when identifying exact matches of hashed files.
- If someone crops, edits, or changes the file with AI, you may need to hash the altered version separately, if you can access it.
Hashing does not apply to most encrypted messaging services, and some participating platforms only scan for hashed images on their public or unencrypted services.
Can I stay safer by hashing ALL of my photos and videos?
No. Hashing tools do not provide general-purpose protection for every photo of you online. They are designed for intimate, partially nude, nude, or sexually explicit images and videos.
Hashing an ordinary, non-explicit image will not prevent someone from stealing that image and using it to create a brand-new AI deepfake later.
If you identify yourself in an AI deepfake (and can access it), you can hash the modified image and report it.
Step #4: File a Complaint With the FTC
When you report NCII to a technology platform, they are required by law to remove the abusive content within 48 hours.
If the platform fails to remove the content, you may file a complaint with the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC).
Why Report To the FTC?
When you notify the FTC that a platform has not complied with the law, you help hold technology companies accountable.
Accountability is an essential step toward creating safer online spaces and ensuring survivors receive the support they deserve.
What To Expect from the FTC
The FTC complaint process is for reporting platform noncompliance. It is not the same as direct takedown help or crisis support.
- You must wait 48 hours after reporting the content to the platform. If the image/video is still posted on the platform after 48 hours, you may report to the FTC.
- The FTC will not provide status updates.
- The FTC is generally unable to enforce compliance with technology platforms that are hosted outside of U.S. jurisdiction.
While the FTC does not provide crisis support or investigative updates, RAINN is here to help survivors and everyone affected by sexual violence—online and in-person.
Step #5: Get Support from RAINN
If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault, you are not alone. RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline offers free, confidential, 24/7 support in English and en Español.
Frequently Asked Questions
Essential Information
Can RAINN remove intimate images or videos for me?
No, RAINN is not able to facilitate content removals at this time.
We can, however, provide education, information, and support.
We also work closely with lawmakers to improve access to justice.
Do I have to report to the platform before reporting to FTC?
Yes, you must first report the content to the platform.
If 48 hours pass and the platform has not removed the content, you can then file a complaint with the FTC.
What if I was a minor when the image was created?
If you were under 18 in the image or video, it is considered child sexual abuse material (CSAM), even if you are an adult now.
If you discover sexualized images or videos (real or AI-generated) of yourself or someone else as a child, that content is NOT “child porn”; it’s called CSAM: child sexual abuse material. And it’s illegal to create or distribute.
What if the content is AI-generated?
It’s never okay for someone to use or share sexualized images or videos without the depicted person’s consent—even if the content was generated or manipulated by AI.
Laws like the TAKE IT DOWN Act clearly include AI-generated non-consensual intimate images (NCII). Tech platforms that fail to remove this content within 48 hours of notification can be held accountable.
What if someone is only threatening to post or share non-consensual intimate images?
Threatening to sexually exploit someone is a form of sexual coercion or “sextortion.” Threats alone may not be actionable under the law, but the platform where the threats are being made may take action to help you feel safer.
Here’s what you can do:
What if I can’t find the exact reporting category?
Use the closest available category—such as harassment, privacy violation, sexually explicit content, or non-consensual intimate imagery—and include specific details in the narrative field where possible.
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