BC Intimate Images Protection Act May Raise Fine To $75,000
- Lina Zhang
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Imagine finding out that a private photo you once shared, or didn’t even know was taken, has ended up online. You want it gone, but every step feels impossible. Websites ignore you. Police tell you to file a report. The person who posted it keeps going on with their life.
That’s the painful reality many women in BC face. The BC Intimate Images Protection Act update aims to change that by giving survivors stronger tools, higher compensation, and better privacy protection than ever before.
The Problem With the Old System
When the law first launched in 2024, it was ground-breaking. For the first time, victims could take action online through the Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) instead of going to court. But it wasn’t perfect.
The maximum payout was only $5,000, barely enough to cover therapy or lost work. Tribunal decisions were published online, meaning survivors could still be identified. And while the CRT could order websites to remove content, enforcement across big tech platforms like Reddit or X often took months.
For many, the system still felt too slow, too public, and too limited to make a real difference.
BC Intimate Images Protection Act Updates for 2025
Attorney General Niki Sharma has announced major updates to strengthen the Act. The goal is to make it clear that sharing intimate images without consent isn’t just harmful; it’s sexualized violence that carries serious consequences.
1. Higher Compensation
The Civil Resolution Tribunal’s damage limit could rise from $5,000 to $75,000, giving survivors access to meaningful financial justice that reflects the real emotional and reputational harm caused by image-based abuse.
2. Stronger Enforcement
Protection orders will be easier to update and enforce, allowing the CRT to act faster if new images surface or if websites refuse to comply.
3. Faster Penalties
The government plans to set clearer timelines for penalties against offenders who ignore CRT orders, ensuring consequences happen quickly instead of dragging on for months.
4. More Support for Victims
The Intimate Images Protection Service (IIPS) will have greater authority to collect and use information to coordinate directly with social media companies and online platforms, speeding up the removal process and offering better hands-on support.
How This Will Help Support Victims
For years, many victims felt powerless after their images were shared. This update aims to change that.
The higher compensation reflects how damaging image-based abuse can be. Survivors no longer have to fear being exposed again through public case records. And with faster, clearer enforcement, platforms and perpetrators will be forced to take action.
As Ninu Kang from the Ending Violence Association of BC explained, “These amendments acknowledge the serious nature of this crime and give survivors more options for justice.”
BC’s Bigger Fight Against Digital Sexual Violence
These amendments are part of BC’s broader effort to tackle gender-based and online violence.
The province recently launched the BC Online Safety Action Table, bringing together platforms like Meta, Google, TikTok, Snap, and X to create direct reporting channels for takedowns. That collaboration has already led to confirmed removals and faster response times.
The move also paused a proposed law that would have let the province sue tech companies for harm caused by their platforms. For now, BC is choosing cooperation over court battles.
Attorney General Sharma says it simply: “Sharing intimate images without consent is unacceptable in BC and will have serious consequences.”
When Will the Proposed Changes Take Effect
The amendments still need final approval before becoming law, but the government has already directed staff to prepare the new $75,000 compensation cap through regulation.
Once enacted, the system will move faster, privacy will improve, and survivors will have more power to control what happens next.
If This Happens to You
If someone has shared, or threatened to share, a private image of you, there is help:
Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT)
File online at civilresolutionbc.ca to have the image removed or to seek compensation.
Intimate Images Protection Service (IIPS)
Visit takebackyourimages.gov.bc.ca for free help contacting websites, submitting claims, and getting support.
VictimLinkBC
Call 1-800-563-0808 anytime, 24/7, for confidential emotional support and legal guidance.
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