Your Image Was Leaked. Now What?

Don't Panic. Act Quickly.

If you've discovered that intimate images of you have been shared without your consent, take a breath. You're not alone, and there are concrete steps you can take.

Remember: 98% of victims never report. By taking action, you're already doing something most victims can't bring themselves to do.

This guide walks you through the process — from immediate evidence preservation to long-term resolution.

Step 1: Preserve Evidence Immediately

Before you do anything else, preserve evidence. Content can be deleted, modified, or moved. Once it's gone, proving it existed becomes much harder.

What to Capture:

• URLs where the content appears
• Screenshots of the content and surrounding context
• Page source (right-click → View Page Source)
• Archive.org snapshots (search the URL on Wayback Machine)
• Hash values using tools like HashTab or online hash calculators

Why This Matters:

Courts and law enforcement need proof that:

1. The content existed
2. It was shared without your consent
3. It was accessible to others

Screenshots alone can be dismissed as fabricated. You need verifiable, timestamped evidence.

Step 2: Generate a Forensic Report

This is where Sniffer can help. Upload the image to our platform, and we'll run a full forensic analysis:

• AI detection — Determines if the image is real or a deepfake
• Metadata analysis — Extracts EXIF data, timestamps, and origin information
• Distribution tracing — Maps where the content has been shared
• Cryptographic hash — Creates a tamper-evident fingerprint of the image

The result is a forensic report that meets evidentiary standards. This report can be used in court, submitted to law enforcement, or included in takedown requests.

Step 3: Report to the Platform

Once you have evidence, report the content to the platform:

What to Include:

• Direct URLs to the content
• Your identification (proving you're the person in the image)
• A clear statement that you did not consent to sharing
• The forensic report (if available)
• A deadline (24 hours is the MeitY SOP requirement)

The MeitY SOP: Your Legal Backing

In October 2025, MeitY issued a Standard Operating Procedure that requires platforms to:

• Remove content within 24 hours of receiving complaint
• Deploy crawler technology to identify hashes of reported content
• Prevent re-uploads by matching against hash database
• Inform victims about removal status

Reference this SOP in your complaint. It's legally binding.

If They Don't Respond:

• Escalate — Contact the platform's legal department
• File through Sahyog Portal — I4C's centralized complaint system
• Document everything — Keep records of all communications

Step 4: Involve Law Enforcement

If the platform doesn't act, or if you want to pursue criminal charges:

What to Bring:

• Your forensic report from Sniffer
• All evidence you've preserved
• A written statement of what happened
• Any communication with the platform

Applicable Laws:

Law	Section	What It Covers	Punishment
IT Act	66E	Violation of privacy	Up to 3 yrs + Rs.2L
IT Act	67A	Sexually explicit material	Up to 5 yrs + Rs.10L (non-bailable)
BNS	77	Voyeurism	1-3 yrs (first); 3-7 yrs (repeat)
DPDP Act	Various	Unauthorized data processing	Up to Rs.250Cr penalty

Key legal point: Section 67A is the most powerful tool. It does NOT require proving the content was "private" — only that it was sexually explicit and transmitted without authorization.

What to Expect:

• Filing a report — This creates an official record
• Investigation — Law enforcement may investigate
• Potential charges — Depending on jurisdiction

Step 5: Consider Legal Action

Civil litigation can compel platform removal and seek damages:

Types of Claims:

• Defamation — The content harmed your reputation
• Invasion of privacy — The content was shared without consent
• Intentional infliction of emotional distress — The sharing caused severe emotional harm
• Copyright infringement — You own the copyright to the image

What You'll Need:

• Evidence of harm — Emotional distress, reputation damage, financial loss
• Forensic documentation — Proving the content is what you claim
• Platform records — Showing the platform's failure to act

Step 6: Protect Yourself Going Forward

After addressing the immediate crisis:

Monitor Your Digital Presence:

• Google yourself regularly
• Set up alerts for your name and known aliases
• Check image-based search engines (Google Images, TinEye)

Secure Your Accounts:

• Enable two-factor authentication everywhere
• Review privacy settings on all social platforms
• Be cautious about sharing intimate content in the future

Seek Support:

• Therapy — The emotional toll is real and valid (51% of victims experience suicidal thoughts)
• Support groups — Connecting with other survivors helps
• RATI Foundation — Meri Trustline helpline for NCII victims

Resources

• Sniffer — Forensic evidence reports for NCII
• I4C Cybercrime Portal — cybercrime.gov.in (file complaints online)
• Sahyog Portal — For hash-sharing and complaint coordination
• RATI Foundation — Meri Trustline helpline
• Cyber Civil Rights Initiative — Support for NCII victims
• One Stop Centres — Support for women facing violence

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Remember: You did nothing wrong. The person who shared your images without consent is responsible, not you. And there are people and tools ready to help.