What to Do When Your Private Photos Are Shared Publicly?
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Discovering that intimate photos or videos, once shared with someone you trusted, are being posted online can be devastating. It’s a difficult situation to navigate, but hope is not lost. There are several practical and legal measures you can take to remove these images from websites and social media and prevent future incidents.
Practical Solutions
Contact the Website or Platform Hosting the Photos or Videos
- Report the Content: Most social media platforms and websites have policies against sharing nudity or intimate images. Reporting the content for removal is usually the first step. Although this might require contacting each platform individually, most will act quickly to remove the images once they acknowledge the violation of their user policies.
- Issue a DMCA Takedown Notice: If you took the photos or videos yourself, you own the copyright. You can file a Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) takedown notice to have the images removed, as posting them without your consent constitutes copyright infringement.
Legal Remedies
Civil Lawsuits:
- Invasion of Privacy, Emotional Distress, or Defamation: You can sue the perpetrator for invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or defamation.
- Ohio Law: Under Section 2307.66 of the Ohio Revised Code, you can take civil action for the dissemination of non-consensual pornography. This includes suing for an injunction to remove the images and prevent future postings, as well as seeking punitive and compensatory damages and attorney fees.
- Federal Law: The Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022 allows you to bring a civil action in federal court against someone who shares intimate images without your consent. Federal courts can issue injunctions, restraining orders, and award damages up to $150,000 along with attorney fees.
Criminal Charges:
- Revenge Porn Laws: Many states have laws against non-consensual pornography. In Ohio, Section 2917.211 of the Ohio Revised Code makes it a crime to disseminate images of another person without their consent. You can file a police report and seek criminal charges. An experienced attorney can help present your case to law enforcement.
Civil Protection Orders:
- Depending on the nature of your relationship with the perpetrator, you might request a Civil Stalking or Sexually Oriented Offense Protection Order or a Domestic Violence Protection Order. These orders can provide additional legal protection.
Seek Professional Help
There are various practical and legal solutions to protect your intimate images, ensure their removal from the internet, and prevent future incidents. Contact ALH Law Group to help you navigate your options and choose the best path to protect your privacy, reputation, and peace.
