Online abuse can become especially damaging when intimate images are shared without consent.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act has become part of the 2026 online-safety landscape, with the Federal Trade Commission involved in enforcement.
For users, the important lesson is that people should not assume that content shared online is permanently outside the reach of legal or platform remedies.
If intimate imagery is shared without consent, preserve evidence and use the relevant platform reporting and official legal channels rather than engaging directly with the person threatening you.
Do not pay an extortionist simply because they claim payment will guarantee deletion.
If someone threatens to publish intimate material, the situation may involve extortion, harassment or other offences depending on the circumstances and jurisdiction.
Get help rather than handling the situation alone.