Non-consensual sharing of intimate imagery (sometimes referred to as "revenge porn") can have severe emotional and reputational consequences for victims. In this article, we cover the practical steps to take in such a situation.
Priority: act quickly and systematically
Acting systematically rather than panicking is the most effective way to limit how far the content spreads. The first step is noting where the content has been shared (platform, account, date).
Expedited platform-based reporting channels
Nearly all major platforms (including Instagram, X, Reddit, and Telegram) offer a dedicated, priority-processed reporting form for non-consensual intimate content, separate from general content reports. Identity verification may be requested on these forms, but the process is handled confidentially.
Extra caution in sextortion cases
If the content is being used as leverage in a threat — demanding money or something else in exchange for not sharing it — this constitutes a criminal act. It's recommended not to comply with the demands and to report the matter to the relevant cybercrime authorities.
The importance of continuous monitoring
Once content has spread once, it can be re-shared on different platforms again and again. A single report isn't enough in this scenario — you need ongoing monitoring to check whether the content resurfaces.
Achernar's Link Isolation service incorporates detected violations into the takedown process; if you're facing a similar situation via Telegram, also see our Telegram Deep Scan service.