What To Do If Your Nudes Are Hacked & Leaked Online: A Victim’s Guide

If you’re reading this, you may have just experienced one of the worst digital privacy violations imaginable – having your phone hacked, private nude photos, or videos stolen and posted all over the Internet!

I understand the shock, anger, and vulnerability you’re feeling. You’re not alone, and you have rights. As an experienced internet attorney, I’m here to walk you through exactly what to do to start taking back control, from getting content removed to reporting the crime. Let’s start with the most urgent steps.

Whether a malicious ex, stranger or professional hacker invaded your privacy, the path forward is the same. You are a victim of “revenge porn,” a crime and a form of image-based sexual abuse. As gut-wrenching as it feels right now to know your intimate images are being viewed without your consent, you can get through this nightmare with the right help and actions.

What Should I Do Immediately If My Phone Is Hacked and Nudes Leaked?

In the first critical hours and days after your nudes are hacked and leaked, take these steps to mitigate the damage, preserve evidence and protect yourself:

• Document everything. Screenshot the hacked content wherever you find it – revenge porn sites, social media, chat forums, texts. Though painful, preserving this proof is crucial for later removal and legal action. Be sure to note URLs and usernames of posters.
  However, if you or any one else in the content is under the age of 18, do not download or save the actual content since this could be construed as possession of child pornography, a serious federal and state crime. Instead, create a list of URLs where the images can be found.
• Change your passwords. Hackers likely gained access to your photos by breaching your phone or cloud password, so immediately change login info for all accounts. Don’t reuse passwords. Enable two-factor authentication for a critical extra layer of security.
• Check your cloud. Many cloud storage services like iCloud or Google Photos automatically back up your images, so your hacked nudes may also be stored there. Log in to see if they were accessed or shared. Revoke permissions for any suspicious apps or users.
• Contact websites. If your nudes are posted on websites or forums, contact them immediately to request removal, noting the content was shared without consent. Document all correspondences you have with the websites.
• Remember to breathe. The next hours and days will be overwhelming, but know that you WILL get through this.

How Can I Get My Hacked Nudes Removed from the Internet?

Once you’ve completed the initial damage control steps, it’s time to remove your intimate content off the internet. This process takes persistent effort and often professional help, but you CAN get your private content taken down. Here’s how:

1. Send DMCA takedown notices. The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) requires websites to remove content that violates copyright. If you took the hacked photos yourself, you likely own the copyright. Send the sites a DMCA takedown notice detailing your content, the unauthorized use of your images and demanding removal. Many sites have forms for this.
2. Report posts as violations. Even if you did not take the pictures and do not own the copyright, many websites prohibit posting nonconsensual pornography as it violates their terms of service. Report individual posts as terms of service violations by stating clearly that the content was shared without your consent. Be clear the content was shared without consent and you’re the victim of a crime.
3. Use Google’s removal form. Google will remove nonconsensual pornographyfrom itssearch results. Go to their removal request form (“It shows other personal info”), select the type of content, provide the URLs, upload screenshots as evidence and explain the content was posted without your consent or permission.
4. Hire an attorney. Because of the potential for legal complications in submitting removal requests and the emotional nature of the crime, it may be best to consult with an attorney to explore your options. An attorney can file DMCA notices, removal requests and court orders on your behalf to legally compel sites to comply. Attorneys can also uncover identifying info about the hacker to pursue prosecution.
5. Conduct a reputation audit. Do a thorough search for your name and any nicknames to locate all instances of your nudes. Set up Google Alerts for your name to get notified of any future postings. The more completely you can erase the hacked content, the less likely it is to keep resurfacing.

In our victim blaming culture, it is important to remember that you are the victim and have rights worthy of protection. You deserve to surround yourself with advocates who will use every in the pursuit to remove your intimate content from the Internet. Don’t let the shame stop you from using every tool to scrub your intimate photos from sites. Keep reading to learn how you can protect your rights.

Is It Illegal To Hack Someone’s Phone and Share Their Nude Photos?

YES. Both hacking into your device and distributing your private photos online without consent are serious crimes. The offender, whether it’s an ex or a stranger, has likely committed multiple crimes by violating your privacy and trust in this malicious, traumatic way.

Currently, 48 states and Washington D.C. have laws specifically against nonconsensual pornography, or what’s commonly known as “revenge porn.” These laws make it illegal to share someone’s nude or sexual photos without permission, regardless of whether that person originally took the photo themselves or once shared it with a partner they trusted.

In addition to state revenge porn laws, the hacker may have violated the federal Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) by illegally accessing your device or accounts.

Depending on the facts of your case, the defendant may have also violated state and federal laws addressing cyberstalking, extortion, fraud and child pornography (if you were under 18 in the photos). As I’ll explain more below, you have legal recourse against your hacker, including criminal charges and civil lawsuits.

How Can I Protect My Phone From Being Hacked Again?

Having your private photos stolen and shared online is devastating, but you can take back control by implementing these critical security measures on all your devices and accounts:

• Use strong, unique passwords for every account. Don’t use pet names or birthdays – the longer and more random the password, the better. Consider using a password manager to help you securely store complex passwords that maximize your protection against hackers.
• Enable two-factor authentication everywhere it’s offered. This second layer of security, like a numeric code texted to your phone, helps you protect your data from hackers
• Update your software and operating systems on a consistent basis. Developers are constantly releasing security patches for the latest threats, so don’t ignore update prompts.
• Only download apps from official app stores. Scammers hide malware in third-party apps that can steal your info and images. Be sure to vet each app carefully.
• Back up your data regularly to secure cloud storage and an external hard drive. That way, you can quickly erase compromised devices without losing everything.
• Avoid using unsecured public WiFi. Hackers can easily intercept your data on open networks. If you must log on, use a VPN which creates a secure connection between your device and the internet.
• Think before you click. Scammers are increasingly preying on people’s fear by sending emotionally laden requests for immediate information. Phishing scams try to trick you into entering login credentials on fake sites. Check the URL, sending and message itself before clicking any links or entering any sensitive info.
• Enable remote lock and wipe. If your phone is lost or stolen, you can lock it and erase private data before a hacker gets in.
• Turn off automatic cloud backups. While automatic syncing is convenient, it’s a gold mine for hackers. Manually back up your sensitive content to secure storage instead.

By taking these proactive steps, you can make it exponentially harder for anyone to breach your devices and violate your privacy again. Unfortunately, it should not be up to the victim to protect themselves from future hacks. But given the realities of hacking, these new steps may protect you from other bad actors trying to invade your privacy rights.

What Steps Can I Take To Cope With the Trauma of Having My Hacked Nudes Exposed?

Let me be clear – you did NOTHING wrong. The person who violated your consent and trust by stealing your intimate images should be ashamed for callously disregarding your rights to consent and privacy. You are the victim of image based sexual abuse.

It is common for people who are victimized by hackers who post their intimate content on the internet to experience anxiety, depression, PTSD and suicidal thoughts. Please know you are not alone and you WILL recover. Consider these steps to begin healing:

• Find a counselor experienced in sexual trauma and online abuse. They can help you process the complex emotions in a private, judgment-free setting.
• Lean on trusted friends and family for unconditional support. You need people who will listen without blaming or shaming you.
• Join a support group for victims of nonconsensual pornography, either in-person or online. Connecting with other survivors who get it can be powerfully validating and restorative.
• If you’re having thoughts of suicide or self-harm, reach out to the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 or the Crisis Text Line by texting HOME to 741741.

You matter, and you will get through this with support.

Minc Law Can Help You Hold Hackers Accountable and Regain Peace of Mind

As an experienced internet attorney, I’ve helped countless victims of hacked and leaked nudes take back control and obtain justice. It’s not an easy road, but it is worth it to reclaim your fundamental right to privacy and bodily autonomy. I’m here to advocate for you every step of the way.

The path forward likely feels impossibly dark right now. But I promise you there is light ahead. You will survive this, and you will heal. No matter how much your abuser tries to shame you, you have nothing to be ashamed of. Hold your head high, stand up for your rights, and never let the hacker take your power. You’ve got this.

If you’re a victim of hacked or leaked nudes, contact Minc Law. We have extensive experience helping victims remove non-consensual intimate content from the internet and bring abusers to justice. Call us at (216) 373-7706, speak with a Chat representative, or fill out our online contact form to schedule your confidential consultation.