Is Image-Based Sexual Abuse Illegal in My State? A 50-State Guide
Yes. As of 2025, all 50 states, D.C., and the federal government have laws against sharing someone's intimate images without their consent. This guide covers the steps that work anywhere and your federal protections.
The fastest way to act right now
Save the evidence first: screenshots of images, URLs, messages, and usernames, with dates and times. Block re-uploads with a hash-matching tool: StopNCII.org for adults, or Take It Down through NCMEC for images from when you were under 18. Then get it removed: request removal from each platform, use the TAKE IT DOWN Act's 48-hour rule (report noncompliant platforms at takeitdown.ftc.gov), ask Google to remove it from search, and file with local police and the FBI at ic3.gov.
What federal law protects you everywhere
The TAKE IT DOWN Act, signed May 2025, makes it a federal crime to publish or threaten to publish non-consensual intimate images, including AI-generated ones, and requires covered platforms to remove reported content within 48 hours. A federal right to sue (15 U.S.C. §6851) lets an adult victim recover $150,000 in liquidated damages plus attorney's fees, regardless of state law.
Does your state cover deepfakes, and can you sue?
Most states have updated their laws to cover AI-generated images, and the federal law covers them everywhere regardless. Some states also give you your own civil claim for damages, separate from any criminal case, on top of the federal right to sue.
Find your state's law
Your state's exact statute, penalty level, and whether it covers deepfakes and threats varies. A state-by-state reference is being prepared for this guide; a lawyer or your state's official legislature page can confirm the current text for your situation in the meantime.
If your state's law is weak
You're not out of options: the federal §6851 claim lets you sue for $150,000 even without a state civil remedy, the TAKE IT DOWN Act's 48-hour rule still applies, and the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative helpline (1-844-878-2274) offers free guidance and referrals to pro bono lawyers.
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