Someone Shared My Photos Without Permission — What to Do
Sharing intimate photos without consent is a crime in South Africa. Report to police, file a POPIA complaint, and apply for a protection order — here's how.
FreeSouth African Law
Non-consensual sharing of intimate images is a crime.
Report to the police and document everything. Act quickly — the sooner you act, the easier it is to limit the spread.
Direct Answer
Sharing intimate or personal images without consent may be a criminal offence under the Cybercrimes Act 2020 and a POPIA violation. You can report to the police, apply to the Information Regulator, and — if the person is a current or former partner — apply for a protection order.
What the Law Says
Your Legal Foundation
Cybercrimes Act 19 of 2020
Section 16
“Any person who discloses a data message or a photograph, film or recording of a sexual nature of another person without consent, where that disclosure causes harm, is guilty of an offence.”
POPIA 4 of 2013
Section 11
“Personal information — including images — may only be processed with the consent of the data subject.”
Domestic Violence Act 116 of 1998
Section 1
“Domestic violence includes any conduct that harms or may harm the safety, health or wellbeing of the complainant — including sharing intimate images to humiliate, coerce, or control.”
Immediate Steps
What to Do Right Now
1Act quickly — document first. Screenshot or record where the images appear (URLs, social media posts, messages) before they can be deleted. This is your evidence.
2Report to the police under the Cybercrimes Act. Bring your evidence. This is a criminal matter — the police must open a case.
3Contact the platform (Facebook, WhatsApp, etc.) to report the images for removal. Most platforms have processes for non-consensual intimate image reports that act quickly.
4Lodge a complaint with the Information Regulator (complaints.IR@justice.gov.za) for the POPIA violation — your image is personal information and was processed without consent.
5If the person sharing is a current or former partner, apply for a protection order at the magistrate's court under the Domestic Violence Act. The order can prohibit further sharing.
6Consider consulting an attorney about a civil claim for damages — particularly if the images caused financial harm (e.g., loss of employment).
What to Say
Exact Words to Use
“"You have shared my intimate/personal images without my consent. This is a criminal offence under Section 16 of the Cybercrimes Act and a POPIA violation. Remove all copies immediately. I have opened a case with the police and filed a complaint with the Information Regulator."”
Tone: In writing to the person sharing — also use as foundation for legal complaints
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Does it matter if the images were not originally intimate — just personal?
Sharing any image without consent is a POPIA violation. The Cybercrimes Act specifically targets images "of a sexual nature" — but for personal non-intimate images, POPIA, defamation law, and harassment law may all still apply. Report to the Information Regulator and consult an attorney about your specific facts.
What if the person is in another country?
You can still lay a complaint with the police (cybercrime has extraterritorial reach under the Cybercrimes Act for crimes affecting SA citizens) and with platforms operating internationally. Platform removal is often the fastest remedy. Legal action in other jurisdictions is more complex — consult an attorney.
The Advocate helps you practise the exact words to use in 149 real South African scenarios — grounded in constitutional law and Scripture. Free to start.