Is it illegal to post someone's picture online without their permission?
Asked by: Chelsea Labadie | Last update: February 7, 2026Score: 4.5/5 (61 votes)
Yes, posting someone's picture online without permission can be illegal, especially if it infringes on their privacy, depicts them falsely, harms their reputation, or involves intimate images (revenge porn), leading to civil lawsuits (invasion of privacy, defamation) or even criminal charges, though it's generally legal to photograph people in public places unless they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Laws vary by location, with stricter rules for intimate content and children, but seeking legal advice is crucial.
Is it illegal to post pictures of someone online without their consent?
The sharing of intimate images or videos of someone without their consent violates their privacy and can cause harm. It can also be against the law. Consent means a conscious, voluntary agreement – free from force, fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion – to have intimate images or videos of you shared.
Can you sue someone for posting you online without consent?
If someone posts your photo or video without your permission, you can try to contact them and ask them to take it down if you know who they are. You can then pursue legal action if that person continues to refuse.
Can you press charges on someone for posting pictures of you?
Yes, you can often take legal action (press charges or sue) for someone posting pictures of you, especially if they are private, intimate, used commercially, or posted with false/harmful information, though it depends heavily on where the photo was taken (public vs. private) and how it's used, with remedies ranging from removal to financial damages under invasion of privacy, defamation, right of publicity, or specific revenge porn laws.
Do you think it's okay to share photos online without people's permission?
It's generally not okay to post pictures of people on the internet without their permission. This is because it can be a violation of their privacy and could even lead to legal issues. If someone posts a picture of you online without your consent, it could be considered defamation or harassment.
Can you sue if someone posts a video or photo of you without your consent?
What to do if someone is posting pictures of you online?
Get in contact with the website or social media platform. You can make a complaint about images that have been posted of you without your consent. Take screenshots of the pictures or videos you see of yourself posted without your consent. Keep a record of your complaints and requests to remove the photo.
Is it illegal to share pictures without consent?
Yes, distributing pictures, especially intimate or private ones, without consent is often illegal and can lead to severe civil and criminal penalties, including lawsuits for privacy invasion, harassment, copyright infringement, and even fines or jail time, with specific laws like the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWA) in the US and various state laws criminalizing non-consensual sharing of intimate images (NCII or "revenge porn"). Even if consent was given to take the photo, distributing it without separate consent for sharing is a violation, as privacy rights extend to image distribution.
Is posting about someone on social media harassment?
Cyberbullying can occur through SMS, Text, and apps, or online in social media, forums, or gaming where people can view, participate in, or share content. Cyberbullying includes sending, posting, or sharing negative, harmful, false, or mean content about someone else.
Is it worth suing someone for defamation?
Suing for defamation can be worthwhile if you suffered significant, measurable harm (reputational, financial, emotional) from false statements, and you have strong evidence, but it's a difficult, costly process involving intrusive discovery and proving damages, making legal consultation essential to weigh potential recovery against high legal fees and stress.
Can someone post my picture on Instagram without my permission?
If a person is in a location where they reasonably expect privacy, recording or posting content without permission could violate their legal rights, and may even lead to criminal charges under wiretapping or surveillance laws, depending on the state.
Is it a crime to expose someone on social media?
Yes, exposing someone on social media can be illegal, leading to civil lawsuits (defamation, invasion of privacy) or criminal charges (cyberbullying, stalking) depending on the content, intent, and jurisdiction, especially if it involves false information, threats, or highly private details like home addresses (doxing), causing harm or distress. While posting public information isn't always illegal, sharing private facts or making false statements to damage reputation can cross legal lines.
What is the most common thing people get sued for?
The most common things people sue for fall into categories like personal injury (especially car accidents), contract disputes, and property disputes, often stemming from negligence, failure to meet obligations, or harm caused by another's actions or faulty products, with workplace injuries, medical malpractice, and employment issues also being frequent.
What counts as slander on social media?
Negative statements about individuals or businesses frequently appear on social media platforms and in online comments. When these statements are false and presented as factual, they may be considered defamatory.
What proof is needed for defamation?
To prove defamation (libel or slander), you generally need to show a defendant made a false statement of fact, communicated it to a third party, with at least negligence (or actual malice for public figures), that it was about you, and that it caused you actual harm or damages, like reputational or financial loss, with truth being a strong defense.
How expensive is it to sue for defamation?
Suing for defamation is often costly. Legal fees typically range from tens of thousands of dollars for straightforward cases to well over $100,000 for complex trials. The exact cost depends on case complexity, evidence and how far the case proceeds. Simple cases may cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Who cannot sue for defamation?
You cannot sue for defamation based on statements considered “privileged.” For example, when a witness testifies at trial and makes a false and injurious statement, the witness will be immune to a lawsuit for defamation because the act of testifying at trial is privileged.
Can police do anything about online harassment?
Yes, police can take action on online harassment, especially when it involves threats of violence, stalking, nonconsensual sexual imagery, or other clear crimes, but their intervention often depends on the severity, evidence, and specific state/federal laws; filing a report creates a paper trail for potential criminal or civil cases, and severe cases can involve the FBI.
What evidence do you need for harassment?
To prove harassment, you need a detailed log of incidents (dates, times, locations, what happened), supported by tangible evidence like emails, texts, photos, videos, and witness statements, plus documentation of your complaints and the harasser's responses, showing the conduct was unwelcome, severe/pervasive, and based on a protected characteristic (like sex, race, etc.). Medical records showing impact and formal reports to HR/police also significantly strengthen a case.
What to do if someone is posting about you online?
Report the abuse to the social media or communication platform - Almost all social media and communication platforms now have a way you can report online abuse. Each platform takes different courses of action, but all will take the abuse seriously and help you resolve.
What can you do if someone posts your picture without permission?
If someone posts your picture without permission, first document it (screenshots, URLs), then report it to the platform using their built-in tools (like DMCA requests or policy violations), and if it's intimate content, report it to authorities; if it's for commercial use or persistent, contact a lawyer to send a cease and desist letter or explore legal action for privacy/ publicity rights.
Is it illegal to post a picture of someone on the internet?
Although taking a photo of you in a public setting is not an invasion of privacy, if the person captures you in your home and then uses it on social media without your consent, you have legal recourse. An attorney may classify this type of action as defamation as well.
Is posting pictures of someone harassment?
Warning ⚠️ : It is important to remember that posting a picture of someone without their consent is considered cyberbullying and is a crime. Even if the photo was taken in a public setting, having sex or whatnot, you do not have the right to post it on social media.
Can someone take a picture of me and post it without my consent?
Yes, someone can post a picture of you without your permission, especially if it's taken in a public place, but it becomes illegal or a violation of privacy (invasion of privacy, defamation, right of publicity) if used offensively, commercially, or if it's a private image shared without consent (non-consensual pornography). You have recourse through platform reporting, legal action (like cease-and-desist letters or lawsuits), and DMCA takedowns, particularly for intimate images.
Can you press charges for unsolicited pictures?
In 2022, the state passed a civil law that gives victims the right to sue anyone who sends them an unsolicited obscene image. The law went into effect on January 1, 2023, and it's now one of the strongest tools available to hold perpetrators of cyber flashing accountable.
Is it illegal to post something about someone without their permission?
Posting someone's name or personal information on the internet or social media without consent is a violation of privacy rights and can lead to criminal and civil liabilities.