How to Remove Nudes from the Internet

Whether the content was released by a cybercriminal or an ex-partner, discovering that your nudes have been shared online without your consent is emotionally distressing. It’s only natural to want to remove the nudes from the internet. However, the path to doing this can be complex or unclear on online platforms. Fortunately, we have a guide that provides actionable advice on how to remove intimate content from different online platforms and regain control over your digital presence.

Can You Get Your Nudes Off the Internet?

The answer is complicated and often depends on the context. In cases where content is shared without consent, many platforms have clear policies and operating procedures to facilitate removal.

However, there are also situations where there may be an agreement for intimate content to be shared in a limited capacity. Even in these cases, there are specific rules and legal tools that can be used when the content is shared beyond the agreed terms. Different online platforms have varying policies regarding NCII abuse. It’s important to review them and understand your options if you’re concerned about any public sharing without consent.

Steps for Victims of NCII to Remove Their Nudes from Sites

The steps you will need to take depend largely on where the content was published. Popular search engines like Google and Bing are actively combatting non-consensual intimate image abuse. Among other initiatives, they offer a reporting tool to remove links to such content from their search results.

Reporting NCII Content on Google

Google has a removal request form where you or an authorized representative can submit a request to remove links to intimate content that were created or shared without consent. For Google to consider content removal, the content must meet 3 requirements:

1. The imagery must show you — or the individual you’re representing — partially or fully nude, in a sexual act, or an intimate state.
2. You or the individual you’re representing either didn’t consent to the public release of the explicit content or didn’t consent to the imagery or act, and it was shared publicly.
3. You must not currently be getting paid for this content.

Reporting NCII Content on Bing

Microsoft has recognized the devastating impact of intimate image abuse since 2015 and, over time, has taken steps to protect victims of the crime on their platforms. Microsoft’s Bing was the first search engine to partner with StopNCII.org, a tool to prevent and report image-based sexual abuse, in 2024. The company also has a centralized reporting portal for victims to report content or conduct that violates Microsoft’s policies regarding intimate content shared without consent. There are three steps to reporting non-consensual intimate imagery on Microsoft.

1. Visit “Report a Concern” to start the form.
2. You will need the URL for the webpage where the content is found and the URL for the content itself if there is one.
3. Check for email confirmation that you submitted a report.

Reporting for NCII abuse on Microsoft is for users over 18 years old. Minors should select the child sexual abuse material (CSAM) option instead:

If Published on a Social App…

• Meta has implemented a tool for users to report any inappropriate content or conversations. To report NCII content on Facebook, look for the three dots on profiles, messages, and in your content feed. Then, click on “Report” and select the option that best describes how the activity violates their community standards.
• On Instagram, the steps are similar. Users can click on the three dots when hovering over messages or viewing profiles and content in your feed. Then, select “Report” and choose the options that best fit the circumstance.
• While Twitter has a policy against non-consensual nudity, its enforcement of that policy can be inconsistent. The platform uses a mixture of machine learning and human moderators to take action on reports, which can result in a slower response time. You can report tweets by clicking on the three dots and selecting “Report.” Then, just answer the questions to the best of your ability.
• Snapchat has guidelines against non-consensual intimate imagery and allows users to report such content in their app. You can report in Chat by holding down a message until the options pop up, then select “Report.” You can also report a user account and Story. To report a user account, visit their profile, click the three dots in the top right, and select “Manage Friendship.” Then, choose “Report.” For Stories, click the three dots in the top right and select “Report.”
• TikTok has always had strict policies against any type of nudity or sexual content. The platform has invested in automation to detect and remove any explicit content. Along with Meta, the social media app has also partnered with StopNCII.org. The platform takes reports of NCII abuse extremely seriously. You can report NCII content by holding down on a video or comment and selecting “Report.” To report a profile, click on the arrow in the top right corner and select “Report.”

If Published on an Adult Website or Message Board

Adult websites vary wildly in their compliance with removal requests. Start by reviewing the site’s policies for handling non-consensual intimate content. Most of these sites should have either a “Terms of Service,” “Privacy Policy,” or “Content Guidelines” in the footer of their website where they publish details on how to request removal of content.

There are some message board websites which have guidelines against non-consensual intimate image abuse and moderators of sub-communities who can expedite the takedown process. However, for websites that are difficult to work with, you may need to consider using a DMCA Takedown Notice.

What is a DMCA Takedown Notice?

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act is a copyright law passed in 1998 that provides creators with protection when their content is used without permission. When it comes to the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, the DMCA may actually grant the owner of the content copyright protections. If the victim is the owner of the content, they can use a DMCA Takedown Notice to remove images or videos from certain websites.

Unfortunately, DMCA Takedown Notices are not a completely reliable solution to image-based sexual abuse. The notice will only apply for the specific instance of your content being published, meaning it can be reuploaded. It’s best to consult with a legal professional when considering DMCA Takedown Notices and to explore your legal options.

Other Resources

There are several resources that can help victims remove intimate imagery, many of which are run by organizations specifically created to combat image-based sexual abuse. While these services offer valuable support, it’s important to get clarity on their process of detection and removal of NCII content.

• Stopncii.org: This free tool is designed to remove and prevent the upload of non-consensual intimate content across platforms. Using hash-generating technology, the tool creates a unique hash value for images or videos submitted by victims. Participating companies will search for matching hashes and prevent the content from being uploaded to their platforms.
• NCMEC: The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children is a well-established organization that fights CSAM. They run the Take It Down tool, which is similar to StopNCII.org but exclusively for minor victims, and the CyberTipline, a centralized portal for reporting the online exploitation of children. The NCMEC works in partnership with the FBI and can track national trends through their reporting portal.
• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative: The CCRI offers support for victims in referrals to pro bono lawyers, a 24/7 hotline, and educational materials. The nonprofit is also active in legal advocacy for victims of NCII abuse, pushing for stronger laws against the crime.
• Law Enforcement: Reporting the crime to local authorities is an important step in addressing and taking down non-consensual intimate content. The local police can assist in filing a report to officially document the crime, launch an investigation to identify the culprit, and help guide you on the next steps you should take.
• Private Security Firms: Using digital forensics, cybersecurity firms can trace the online footprint of image-based abuse back to its original source. They have experts that monitor the internet and remove any non-consensual publishing of your intimate content. Digital Forensic Corp., for example, has a team of professionals who work tirelessly to protect the privacy of their clients and can even investigate NCII abuse to discover the identity of the perpetrator responsible. Contact us today for a free consultation with one of our specialists.