BC’s Intimate Images Protection Act Explained Simply

It’s Every Woman’s Worst Nightmare

You’re scrolling one night when a message pops up from a friend. It’s a link to a porn site. You click, and your stomach drops. A private photo of you is there. Maybe an ex took it without you knowing, or it was shared with someone you trusted a long time ago. But now it’s public.

You panic, unsure what to do or who to call. The website won’t take it down, and the thought of going to the police feels overwhelming.

That’s where BC’s Intimate Images Protection Act comes in.

This law gives you a fast, private, and affordable way to make whoever shared your image legally responsible for removing it. It was created to protect your privacy and give you control when consent is ignored. Keep reading to learn more.

What the BC Intimate Images Protection Act Is

The Intimate Images Protection Act is a BC law that makes it illegal for anyone to share, post, or threaten to share a private sexual image or video of you without your clear permission. It came into effect in March 2023 and gives victims a direct way to have that content taken down.

The law covers more than just nude photos. It includes:

• Images or videos showing nudity or sexual activity

• Altered or fake content like deepfakes

• Screenshots or recordings shared without consent

• Any image where you had a reasonable expectation of privacy

If someone shares your private photo without consent, you can make them remove it and seek compensation for the harm it caused.

Why BC Created the Intimate Images Protection Act

Before this law existed, victims had almost no fast or affordable way to remove private photos or videos once they appeared online. Websites could ignore takedown requests, and court cases were slow and expensive. BC introduced this law to change that, giving people a way to act quickly, safely, and privately when their images are shared without consent.

It is the first law of its kind in the province and was built to make sure consent is respected even in the digital world.

How the Process Works

You don’t need a lawyer, a courtroom, or a pile of legal documents. The process takes place through a government service called the Civil Resolution Tribunal, or CRT for short. It is an online platform run by the Province of British Columbia that helps people solve legal problems without going to court.

Imagine your ex shares a private photo in a group chat, and it starts spreading. You panic, but you don’t have to face it alone. Through the CRT’s website, you can file a claim to have those images removed quickly and safely. You can do everything online, even from your phone, and your name stays private.

What the CRT Can Do for Victims

The Civil Resolution Tribunal can issue two types of orders under the Intimate Images Protection Act. Both are designed to stop the spread of your images and hold the person responsible accountable.

Protection Order

Tells the person or website to remove, block, or destroy the image so it stops spreading. It can also make search engines hide or de-index the links so the photo no longer shows up in results.

Damages Order

Requires the person who shared your image to pay money for the emotional stress or harm it caused.

You can still apply even if you don’t know who posted it. The CRT can make orders against anonymous users or the platforms hosting your content.

What Happens After You File

You start by telling your story through a short online form that explains what happened, what was shared, and what you want done about it. A tribunal member reviews your claim and decides how to move it forward. Everything happens online and in private, so you never have to face the person who posted your images.

If the tribunal confirms your image was shared without consent, they can act quickly. Websites can be ordered to take it down, the person responsible has to delete every copy, and you can be paid for the harm it caused. If they ignore the order, the courts can step in to make sure it is enforced.

Who the Law Applies To

The Intimate Images Protection Act applies across British Columbia. You can use it if you live in BC or if the image affects you here, even if the website or person who shared it is outside the province. The law covers content shared online, through apps, text messages, or private chats anywhere your image appears without consent.

Can BC’s Intimate Images Law Actually Get Your Photos Removed

This law gives you power, but it is not a magic delete button. It can make websites take images down and order compensation, but it can’t erase every copy once something spreads. What it gives you is proof that your rights were violated and the legal backing to demand removal.

If someone threatens or blackmails you with your photos, that is also a crime under Canada’s Criminal Code. Police can investigate and lay charges while the Intimate Images Protection Act focuses on removing the content and helping you recover. Together, the two laws work to stop the damage and hold the offender accountable.

Where to Turn When Your Privacy Is Violated Online

Not knowing where to start can feel overwhelming, but help is available. Taking the first step is often the hardest part, especially when you feel exposed or unsure what to do next. These services in BC are free, confidential, and here to help you regain control, protect your privacy, and begin to move forward.

Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)

If you need the image taken down or want compensation, start with the Civil Resolution Tribunal. This government-run online system can order websites to remove your photos and require the person who posted them to pay damages.

Intimate Images Protection Service

If you feel overwhelmed or don’t know where to start, the intimate images protection service can guide you. They help collect evidence, contact platforms, and submit removal requests under BC’s Intimate Images Protection Act. Visit

VictimLinkBC

If you need emotional support or legal guidance, VictimLinkBC is available 24/7. You can speak to someone who understands what you’re going through and get connected to local services or police if needed. Call 1-800-563-0808 any time.

Police

If someone is threatening or blackmailing you, contact the police. These actions are criminal under the Criminal Code of Canada, and officers can investigate and lay charges while other services help remove the images. Call your local police department or 911 in an emergency.