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MODERATE THREAT · Consumer Protection

How to Report Platforms That Fail to Remove Non-Consensual Intimate Images

Under the Take It Down Act, online platforms are legally required to remove non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) and known identical copies within 48 hours of receiving a valid request from the affected individual.

10/4/2026Social media platformsContent hosting websitesAdvertising networksAny public-facing digital platform

Warning signs

  • Discovery of intimate photos or videos of yourself posted online without your permission
  • Presence of AI-generated 'deepfake' nudes or sexualized imagery featuring your likeness
  • Platforms failing to respond to or act upon a formal takedown request within 48 hours
  • Continued circulation of identical copies of reported intimate content on the same platform

What you should do

  • Submit a formal takedown request directly to the platform hosting the non-consensual content
  • Document the date and time of your initial takedown request to track the 48-hour compliance window
  • If the platform fails to remove the content within 48 hours, report the platform to the FTC at TakeItDown.ftc.gov
  • Consider reporting the incident to local law enforcement, as many jurisdictions classify the creation or distribution of NCII as a criminal offense
  • Utilize resources from organizations like RAINN for guidance on reporting tech-enabled sexual abuse
The Take It Down Act mandates that digital platforms must act swiftly to remove intimate photos, videos, and digital forgeries (deepfakes) shared without consent. If a platform fails to remove the content and its identical copies within the 48-hour window, consumers are encouraged to report the platform's non-compliance to the Federal Trade Commission. This federal requirement covers both real intimate imagery and AI-generated digital forgeries. Additionally, many states have enacted their own criminal statutes regarding the creation and distribution of non-consensual intimate imagery, reflecting a broader legal effort to combat tech-enabled sexual abuse.

Sources

https://consumer.ftc.gov/consumer-alerts/2026/09/what-do-if-platform-doesnt-take-down-your-intimate-imageshttps://consumer.ftc.gov/articles/image-based-abuse-what-know-and-dohttps://takeitdown.ftc.gov/https://rainn.org/reporting-sexual-assault-to-law-enforcement/how-to-report-tech-enabled-sexual-abuse