A former partner or someone you met online threatens to share your private photos or videos unless you pay, return to him, or withdraw a complaint. This is one of the most frightening situations a person can face. It is also a serious crime, and Indian law now provides a fast route to get such content taken down. This guide sets out what to do, in order.
First 30 minutes
- Do not pay and do not send more images. Paying almost never ends the demands.
- Do not delete the chat. Take screenshots showing the threats, the account name or number, and the date and time. Save the profile link.
- Stop engaging, but do not block him until you have preserved the evidence.
- Report on the national helpline 1930 or at cybercrime.gov.in (choose the category for crimes against women). You can also go to the nearest police station or the cyber police.
- Tell one trusted person. You do not have to handle this alone.
Getting the content taken down
Under Rule 3(2)(b) of the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, when a person (or someone on her behalf) complains that content shows her in full or partial nudity or in a sexual act, including morphed images, the platform must remove or disable access to it within 24 hours. In November 2025 the Ministry of Electronics and IT issued a Standard Operating Procedure on non-consensual intimate imagery to make this faster across platforms.
- Use the platform’s own reporting form for non-consensual intimate images (Instagram, Facebook, WhatsApp, X, YouTube, Telegram and others have one), and keep the complaint reference.
- Write to the platform’s Grievance Officer, citing Rule 3(2)(b).
- If you are 18 or older, StopNCII.org lets you create a digital fingerprint of the image on your own device so partner platforms can block uploads, without you sending the image to anyone.
The offences
| Conduct | Provision |
|---|---|
| Demanding money or anything else by threats | Extortion, Section 308 BNS |
| Threats to harm reputation | Criminal intimidation, Section 351 BNS |
| Capturing or sharing images of a woman’s private acts without consent | Voyeurism, Section 77 BNS |
| Repeatedly following or contacting a woman despite disinterest, or monitoring her online | Stalking, Section 78 BNS |
| Capturing or publishing images of a person’s private area without consent | Section 66E, Information Technology Act |
| Publishing or transmitting obscene or sexually explicit material | Sections 67 and 67A, Information Technology Act |
Where the person is a husband or live-in partner, the Domestic Violence Act also allows a protection order prohibiting him from contacting you or sharing such material.
If the images are morphed or AI-generated
Deepfakes and morphed images are covered. Rule 3(2)(b) expressly includes artificially morphed images, and publishing them can attract the same offences as well as defamation.
Filing the police complaint
- Carry screenshots, links, the account details, and any payment proof if money was demanded or paid.
- You may ask for your statement to be recorded by a woman officer.
- You are entitled to a free copy of the FIR. If the police will not register it, see what to do when the police refuse an FIR.
- The identity of a victim of sexual offences is protected; publishing it is itself an offence.
Frequently asked questions
I sent the photos voluntarily. Can I still complain?
Yes. Sharing an image privately with one person is not consent to having it published or used for threats.
He is abroad or using a fake account. Is there any point reporting?
Yes. Platforms must still take the content down, and the cybercrime portal routes complaints to the police, who can request account information from platforms.
Will my family find out if I file a complaint?
Police and courts are required to protect the identity of victims of sexual offences. You can also take advice confidentially before deciding.
Can I get a court order stopping him?
Yes. Civil courts can grant injunctions, and where he is a husband or live-in partner, a Magistrate can pass a protection order under the DV Act.
See also: boyfriend cheated after promising marriage and police complaint drafting.
Consultations are by appointment. To fix a time, telephone +91 99301 50560 or send a message on WhatsApp.
This guide describes general law and procedure as understood in October 2026. It is not legal advice; in an emergency, call 112.
See also: Sextortion of men and boys through fake girl profiles.