What To Do if Someone Threatens To Leak Your Pictures

No matter who you are, the idea of having personal information leaked to the public is terrifying. But when it’s private pictures, it’s a nightmare come true. Unfortunately, digital harassment and blackmail with nude photos are common in today’s modern world. 

From October 2022 to March 2023, there was a 20% increase in financially motivated sextortion instances, which is a form of extortion that involves the use of intimate images. If this is happening to you, know that you’re not alone. It’s crucial to understand the steps you need to take and what to do if you are threatened with the release of nude photos.

At Digital Forensics, we offer services that can help you deal with sextortion or blackmail and ensure your private photos stay private. With a 90% success rate for keeping these criminals from ever sharing our client’s personal and private images and information, we know how to handle perpetrators who are threatening to release this information. 

Let’s explore the issue and understand your options if someone threatens to leak your pictures. 

Modern-Day Blackmail 

While the internet has helped advance our society in many ways, it also has come with significant risks that put its users in danger. “Revenge porn” or “sextortion” is a type of cybercrime that involves the non-consensual sharing of your private photos. 

It’s a type of digital harassment that can have serious impacts on your reputation, your emotional stability, and more. But it’s important to remember that this is a type of cybercrime, and there are repercussions and ways to get justice if this is happening to you. 

Whether someone is threatening to release screenshots unless you provide money or if they’re sharing pics without a threat, sharing intimate photos in a non-consensual manner is illegal. 

What Initial Steps Can I Take?

Your heart sinks as you read and begin to understand what’s happening. It’s natural to feel overwhelmed and scared, but knowing what to do in the situation can affect the outcome. 

The first step is to stay calm. While it’s easier said than done, take a deep breath and pause for a moment. Don’t immediately respond to the perpetrator or block them. It’s important to understand that you’re not at fault here, and there are specific ways to handle the situation. 

Instead of immediately responding to the blackmail, document all the interactions you’ve had with this individual that might be valuable in an investigation. This includes text messages, emails, and communication on Snapchat, TikTok, and WhatsApp that point to the nature of the relationship. This documentation can become evidence if you decide to pursue legal action. 

Whatever you do, don’t immediately comply with their request for money. There are resources like Digital Forensics that can help you navigate the situation without paying the blackmailer. 

Reporting the perpetrator

Contacting your local law enforcement agency to report the threat is an important step to ensure this individual gets justice. Many localities have laws in place to prevent the sharing of nonconsensual images and use them in blackmail. As you file a report, you can rely on those documents and evidence to help identify your perpetrator and support your claims. 

In addition to your local police, you should consider reporting with a cybercrime reporting agency like the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center. This can provide you with an added element of justice and ensure this individual is known to the FBI in case there are other instances of sextortion cases. If this individual has been committing crimes across state lines, there’s a good reason to get the federal authorities involved. 

If the perpetrator has contacted you via social media, it’s important to report the individual’s account. Almost every social media platform has explicit rules and guidelines that prevent the sharing of sexual images, and by reporting it, you can stop the individual from victimizing others. 

Take care of your mental health

Along with any immediate actions or legal consequences, it’s important to take care of yourself and your mental health during this situation. 

Here’s how to deal with this situation and work through the emotional damage: 

• Take a break from social media: In the midst of all the hurt, it’s a good idea to take a break from social media. Step away from the source of stress and spend time away from your phone. Engaging in offline activities can help you establish yourself in the present.
• Talk to someone: Whether it’s a friend, family member, therapist, or other trusted individual, it’s crucial to talk about your emotions and to process what happened. 
• Keep up with healthy habits: Working out, eating healthy and getting sleep can help you physically get through the emotions and ensure you’re staying healthy.

• Seek out professional resources: You are not alone in this. There are professional support groups and resources available to help you navigate this alongside others who are victims. 

What Should I Do if I’m Being Asked for Money?

Remember, if someone is using online blackmail on you with intimate photos, it’s important not to give in to their demands. These scammers have many victims; if you pay them once, they’ll keep asking for more money. No amount of money will make them stop, so it’s best not to engage with them at all.

At Digital Forensics, we can help you track the digital footprints of a perpetrator and take control of the situation. With our background in cybersecurity, cyber law and digital forensics engineers, we’ve helped thousands of other victims get out of these situations without the release of their private materials. 

How Can I Stay Safe Online?

While you are in no way to blame for sextortion, there are some best practices you can follow to ensure you avoid a situation where someone is threatening to leak pictures of you. These apply to anyone on social media and can prevent cybercriminals or hackers from targeting you. 

Use privacy settings 

Remember to use privacy settings to secure your account and protect yourself from strangers messaging you or viewing your content. By setting your profile to private, only people you approve can see your posts and personal information. Additionally, only accept friend requests from people you know in real life once your profiles are set to private.

Think twice before sharing personal information

Whether you have a public profile or a private one, it’s important to avoid sharing private information like your name, address, school, or phone number with others. Once you share something online, it’s out there for everyone to see! That includes personal images, too. 

Before you share content, consider whether it’s okay for it to be posted on the internet for everyone to see. If you have hesitations, it’s better to be safe than sorry. 

Avoid sexual conversations and content

Even if it’s someone you know and trust, it’s best to avoid having sexual conversations online. This includes sharing any content like photos or videos. Any type of sexual content that’s shared can lead to blackmail or misuse. It’s just not worth it. 

Block and report uncomfortable interactions 

Remember that when it comes to online interactions, you are not obligated to talk or message with someone that makes you feel uncomfortable. If you find yourself in a situation where you are feeling uneasy during a conversation or interaction, it’s completely okay to take control and use the block or mute feature available on various social media platforms. 

Blocking someone will prevent them from contacting you and help you feel safer and more secure online. Always remember you have the power to control your online interactions and should never feel pressured to engage with anyone who makes you uncomfortable.

Look out for suspicious links

Cyberthreats are everywhere, and it’s important to be mindful of any links you click or applications you download on social media platforms. Even if a message appears to come from a friend, double-check before clicking on any links or downloading attachments.

Remember to install antivirus software on your devices, which is available on Mac and Windows computers or Apple and Android smartphones. This step adds an extra layer of security against phishing attempts or malware. 

The Bottom Line

Dealing with the threat of leaked nudes can be really overwhelming and stressful. No matter what happens, remember that you are not to blame if someone threatens to leak your personal photos. Remember, you’re not alone, and there’s help out there. 

At Digital Forensics, we’re here to support you through digital harassment and work towards a safer online environment. If you’re in a difficult situation, reach out for help. Together, we can work toward a world where everyone feels secure and respected online.

Sources: 

Sextortion: A Growing Threat Targeting Minors | FBI

Internet Crime Complaint Center(IC3)

Get Help | Stop Sextortion 

Abuse and Spam | Instagram Help Center