5 steps to take if your photos are leaked without permission

You woke up, but the nightmare was just beginning: overnight, some intimate photos you took were circulating on social networks and WhatsApp groups across the city.

It could be that you took the photos to send to a partner or that you made an intimate video, with the promise that the images would only be between you. However, the relationship ended and he decided to spread the images around.

Or, you took the photos for yourself, but you had to take your cell phone in for assistance and a very malicious person had access to your gallery. Still, it could be that your cloud storage accounts have been hacked, and your data has fallen into the hands of third parties.

Regardless of what happened for your intimate photos to be released, the fact is that you’re probably desperate and don’t really know how to act.

The first step is to get it into your head that it’s not your fault and repeat this as many times as necessary. Then it’s time to take some practical steps to contain the fire.

1. Copy the evidence

Take screenshots and save the address of the pages where your photos or videos were published. Then, run to the registry office to register the date of access and the website link, in order to prove that the material was actually being displayed in that place through a Notarial Minute.

This also applies to profiles on social networks such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Snapchat that have published your image. If you suspect that the person responsible for the leak is someone you sent the photos to, take a screenshot of the conversation with that person as well.

2. Hire a trusted lawyer

Having your intimacy exposed to the world is not something easy to deal with. In addition to the emotional upheaval, there are a number of legal procedures to be followed.

Therefore, it is better to enlist the help of a lawyer from the beginning, who can guide you on the best to take. If possible, hire a professional specialized in Digital Law.

3. Make an incident report

With the prints properly saved on a flash drive, go to a police station, preferably with a lawyer – unfortunately, many revenge porn victims end up being intimidated at this point.

Tip: if you are being blackmailed by someone who is in possession of your intimate photos, you must file a BO even if they have not been released.

In this case, the blackmailer will be notified in court, and this will be one more point against him if the images are actually spread.

4. Contact the sites where your photos appear

If your photos are being displayed on pornographic websites, you can contact them to request removal. These sites usually have their own forms for this, and you will need to inform the link where your images are and send a photo of an identification document.

Despite being a large repository of images of naked people and in moments of intimacy, it is not in the interest of these sites to disclose unauthorized photos or videos.

5. Go to Justice

In addition to being able to file a lawsuit against the person who spread your photos for moral damages, you can also claim compensation for all the expenses you incurred in trying to solve the problem.

Whoever leaks the photos is still liable to be criminally prosecuted. Remember: it is the person who released your photos, not you, who are acting outside the law. Look for a specialized police station.

Having intimate images released is a nightmare for anyone. At this point, it can be very difficult to keep your head on straight and deal with so much pressure. Therefore, in addition to the services of a lawyer, it is recommended that you also seek psychological assistance to help you face the hurricane and then deal with the trauma.

Finally, if you are reading this article and have received intimate material from someone else, never share it on social media or WhatsApp. If the images were sent by a third party, delete them from your cell phone and talk to the sender about how this attitude can destroy someone’s life. Don’t compact with it.