The short definition
Consent is the line. A photo that was taken with permission can still become NCII if it is later shared without permission. A threat to share (“pay or we post this”) is already abuse, even before a public post. Synthetic images count when they depict a real adult in an intimate way they did not agree to — including many AI “deepfakes.”
Related phrases you will still see: revenge porn, image-based sexual abuse (IBSA), non-consensual pornography, cyberflashing. They overlap. NCII is the broader, more precise label. The name of this site, AntiNCII, uses that label on purpose.
A short history
People have been able to show intimate pictures without consent for as long as cameras existed — prints, tapes, then email attachments. What changed is speed and scale: a file can leave a phone and reach strangers in minutes.
- Before the social web. Harm was local: a copy passed around a school, a workplace, or a neighbourhood. There was no common public name for it.
- Late 2000s–early 2010s. Dedicated sites and forums hosted other people’s intimate photos. Journalists popularised “revenge porn,” which described some cases (an ex posting to punish) but missed others (theft, hidden cameras, strangers, money).
- 2013–2015. Legislatures started to name the conduct. California passed an early US state offence for distributing intimate images without consent. England and Wales criminalised disclosing private sexual photographs or films in the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015. Other countries followed with their own wording.
- Mid-2010s. Survivors, lawyers, and researchers argued that “revenge porn” blamed victims, assumed a relationship, and treated the media as entertainment. “Image-based sexual abuse” and NCII spread in policy, helplines, and platform safety pages.
- 2017 onward. Non-consensual intimate deepfakes made it possible to manufacture NCII without a stolen original file. Sextortion — pay or we send this to your contacts — became a high-volume online crime, including against adults.
- Hashing and reporting tools. Microsoft PhotoDNA (2009) is built for child sexual abuse material, not adult NCII. Meta later open-sourced PDQ, a perceptual hash used for photos. In 2021 the UK Revenge Porn Helpline launched StopNCII.org so adults could hash files for partner platforms. AntiNCII is independent of that programme: fingerprints stay on your device, and we file reports with instructions for each case. See StopNCII alternative.
- 2020s regulation. The EU Digital Services Act, the UK Online Safety Act, and newer US rules (including the TAKE IT DOWN Act of 2025) push large platforms to handle NCII, including some AI-generated intimate images, faster. Rules still differ by country. Removal is never automatic.
FAQ
What does NCII stand for?
Non-consensual intimate imagery (or images). Nude, partly nude, or sexual media of a person used without consent — shared, stored, or held as a threat.
Is NCII the same as revenge porn?
Revenge porn is one pattern: sharing to punish an ex. NCII is wider. The sharer is not always a former partner. The motive is not always revenge. Stolen devices, hacked clouds, hidden cameras, sextortion, and deepfakes sit under the same umbrella.
Does NCII include video and AI fakes?
Yes. Imagery covers photos and video. Many platform policies now treat non-consensual intimate deepfakes of a real adult as NCII as well.
How is NCII different from CSAM?
CSAM is child sexual abuse material (under 18). Report that through police, NCMEC, or the IWF — not through this form. Do not email or upload the file to AntiNCII.
Is NCII a crime?
Often yes, under names that vary: disclosing private sexual images, non-consensual pornography, extortion, harassment. Elements (intent, “revenge,” whether a threat is enough) differ. This is not legal advice. A helpline or lawyer in your country can map the local offence.
What is sextortion?
Blackmail with intimate images: money, more nudes, or we share this. It is NCII even if nothing has been posted yet. Practical steps: Daily steps for sextortion.
Can hashing stop NCII?
It can help participating platforms spot matching uploads. AntiNCII uses PDQ for photos and MD5 for videos, created in your browser. It will not catch every edit, every encrypted chat, or every site. Report in-app as well. More detail: How will AntiNCII work?
Who can use AntiNCII?
The adult in the media, 18+ now and 18+ when it was created. We do not take someone else’s intimate images on their behalf. Create a case or read the site FAQ.