Non-consensual sharing of intimate content and unlawful publication of images


Revenge porn and unlawful publication of images: what does the law say and how should you act?

What does the law say?

Article 226-2-1 of the Criminal Code provides that the dissemination or transmission, without the consent of the person concerned, of a recording or image of a sexual nature is punishable by two years’ imprisonment and a €60,000 fine.
This penalty applies even if the images were taken with the victim’s consent, as long as their sharing was not authorized.

Threatening to disseminate such content also constitutes a separate offense: blackmail or harassment.

What should you do if you are a victim?

If you are confronted with the non-consensual dissemination of your intimate images, you have several legal remedies available. In practice, it is recommended that you:

  • Gather evidence: bailiff’s report, screenshots, URLs, witness statements, timestamps.
  • Report the content on social networks or the relevant platforms.
  • File a complaint at a police station or gendarmerie, or with the Public Prosecutor.
  • Contact a criminal lawyer, who can assist you with the legal process and request the removal of the content.

Are you a victim or accused in a revenge porn case?

Contact Maître Lois Pamela LESOT, criminal lawyer: 06.52.02.54.42 – lesot@loispamelalesot.com

What is revenge porn and the unlawful publication of intimate images?

Revenge porn, also known as revenge porn, refers to the dissemination, sharing, or publication of images or videos of a sexual nature without the consent of the person concerned. These contents, often initially obtained in a private or intimate context, are then distributed on platforms, social networks, or via messaging, with the aim of harming, humiliating, or exerting pressure.

This type of conduct constitutes a serious violation of the right to privacy and of a person’s dignity. It is a criminal offense under French law, punishable by severe penalties.

Important:

  • It is not necessary for the images to have been taken without the victim’s knowledge for the offense to be established. What matters is the lack of consent to their dissemination.
  • Even if the person consented to the taking of the images, their publication without consent remains illegal.

Non-consensual sharing of intimate content and the right to be forgotten

Non-consensual sharing of intimate content on social media

What penalties can be incurred in cases of revenge porn?

The dissemination of sexual images without consent constitutes a serious violation of privacy, punishable under the French Criminal Code. The legislator has strengthened penalties to better protect victims and address the seriousness of these acts.

Penalties provided for by the Criminal Code

In accordance with Article 226-2-1 of the Criminal Code:

  • The non-consensual dissemination of intimate images is punishable by 2 years’ imprisonment and a €60,000 fine.
  • La peine peut être portée à 3 ans d’emprisonnement et 75 000 € d’amende si l’infraction est commise :
    • par le conjoint, ex-conjoint, partenaire ou ex-partenaire de la victime
    • ou si elle a conduit la victime à une incapacité totale de travail supérieure à 8 jours
    • ou encore si la diffusion a été faite via Internet ou les réseaux sociaux, ce qui en augmente la portée

Related offenses

Depending on the circumstances, other offenses may also apply:


Your Criminal Defense with Maître Lois Pamela LESOT

Are you a victim or accused in a revenge porn case?
Consult a lawyer: Maître Lois Pamela LESOT – 06.52.02.54.42 – lesot@loispamelalesot.com

The firm regularly assists and defends individuals who are victims or accused in revenge porn cases, as well as in all types of criminal offenses, such as rape or domestic violence.

If you wish to file a complaint for revenge porn, you can consult this article.
If you are accused of revenge porn, you can prepare for police custody by consulting this article and for a voluntary interview by consulting this article.

FAQ – Revenge porn and unlawful publication of images

Is dissemination punishable even if the victim had consented to the taking of the images?

Yes. Even if the images were taken with the victim’s consent, their dissemination without explicit authorization remains a criminal offense.
The key factor is the absence of consent to the dissemination.

What should I do if I am a victim?

  • Gather evidence: bailiff’s report, screenshots, URLs, witness statements.
  • Report the content on social networks and the relevant platforms.
  • File a complaint at a police station, gendarmerie, or directly with the Public Prosecutor.
  • Consult a criminal lawyer to assist you throughout the process: removal of content, legal proceedings, and compensation.

Can I have content shared without my consent removed?

Yes. It is possible to:

  • Contact the platforms through their reporting tools to request removal;
  • Initiate summary proceedings before the civil court, with the assistance of a lawyer, to quickly obtain the removal;
  • Report the content to Pharos: internet-signalement.gouv.fr

What should I do if I am accused in a revenge porn case?

You must:

  • Do not ignore the summons (voluntary hearing, police custody, etc.)
  • Prepare your defense with a criminal lawyer
  • Gather all elements that help explain the context or challenge the facts


Article date: July 11, 2025 | By Lois Pamela LESOT