Over the past several months we have been voluntarily working with the BC Provincial Government, other subject matter experts, lawyers, and the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) in the development of an online reporting portal given the passing of the Intimate Image Protection Act (IIAP) earlier this year here in British Columbia. (1)
Over the years, we have helped hundreds of teens, and dozens of adults, cope with the non-consensual distribution of their intimate images, so we were thankful when the BC Government asked us to participate in this endeavour to help formalize a reporting and enforcement process.
Unknown to many, Google has recently made some important changes regarding sexually explicit content and how people can report it to them to initiate a takedown. These changes are designed to help survivors of non-consensually shared intimate images, also known as image-based sexual abuse material, to get these images removed from their search results.
Instead of having to fill out confusing forms, survivors can now report non-consensually distributed intimate images or video through a single, user-friendly form. This form can handle up to 1,000 URLs at once (where the image is located online that Google needs to know to initiate a takedown).
Google will also keep survivors updated on the progress of their report. If someone shared explicit images consensually in the past but has since changed their mind, Google now also allows you to request the removal of those images as well. However, Google won’t remove explicit content if the person is currently making money from it. Here is the link to the Google reporting portal online:
https://support.google.com/websearch/answer/6302812
IMPORTANT NOTE:
While this is a great step on the part of Google, it is important to note that there is a strong possibility that if the intimate image was taken down by Google, it could re-appear if it is re-indexed by Google on a different URL, or if it is posted to another site that Google has not indexed yet. Like it or not, it can become a game of “whack-a-mole” when it comes to initiating a takedown. This is why using “Google Alerts” can help to monitor if an intimate image or video has been posted to the light web and tagged with your name.(2) This alert will enable you to identify any new URL’s that pop-up and are indexed by Google, which you can then notify GOOGLE to take down via their reporting portal link mentioned above. It is also important to connect with the site where the image/video has been posted to have them take it down so that it does not get re-indexed by Google.
Other reporting resources to help takedown non-consensually distributed Images:
- Canada under the age of 18yrs – https://www.projectarachnid.ca/en/
- Canada over the age of 18yrs (even though UK based) – https://stopncii.org
- USA under the age of 18yrs – https://takeitdown.ncmec.org
- USA over the age of 18yrs (even though UK based) https://stopncii.org
Also, here’s a “how-to-guide” for the most popular social media platforms that we developed to help initiate a non-consensually distributed image or video takedown on specific social media platforms that may not necessarily appear on a Google search:
https://ln5.sync.com/dl/d501b6eb0#jb2gyj5r-9p8yyu4d-vkd5j56s-n7bvc5ky
Google’s recent changes in handling sexually explicit content and the introduction of their user-friendly reporting portal mark a significant step forward in supporting survivors of non-consensual intimate image sharing, often referred to as image-based sexual abuse material. While these efforts are commendable, it’s essential to remain vigilant, as removed content might resurface if re-indexed or posted elsewhere. Utilizing tools like “Google Alerts” can help monitor such situations. Also, various other reporting resources, tailored to different age groups and situations, are available to aid in the removal of non-consensually distributed images. Together, these measures constitute a better response to combatting non-consensually distributed intimate images and supporting those affected than in the past. However, more still needs to be done!
Digital Food For Thought
The White Hatter
References:
1/ https://www.leg.bc.ca/content/data%20-%20ldp/Pages/42nd4th/3rd_read/PDF/gov12-3.pdf
