BC Intimate Images Revenge Porn Facebook Case Ends in $5,000 Fine
- Lina Zhang
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
November 26, 2024, British Columbia.
A BC man has been ordered to pay $5,000 in damages after posting his ex-girlfriend’s private photos on Facebook without her consent.
The ruling is one of the first under the BC Intimate Images Protection Act, showing how social media revenge can now carry real legal and financial consequences.
What Happened In The BC Intimate Images Revenge Porn Facebook Case
According to a Civil Resolution Tribunal (CRT) decision, Miguel Luis Cogtong uploaded intimate images of his former partner, identified only as MLA, to Facebook following their breakup.
MLA provided screenshots showing the photos publicly displayed on Cogtong’s profile, along with text messages in which he sent her one of the same images. This was proof that he had access to the account that made the posts.
Cogtong denied the allegations and argued that MLA had posted negative things about him online, but the tribunal ruled that did not excuse or disprove the non-consensual sharing of her photos.
The Tribunal’s Ruling
Tribunal vice-chair Kate Campbell found Cogtong had violated the BC Intimate Images Protection Act, which makes it illegal to share intimate photos or videos without consent.
He was ordered to pay $5,000, the maximum compensation currently allowed through the CRT. Campbell noted that relationship conflict does not justify or reduce responsibility for posting private photos online.
The case reinforces that “revenge posting” — sharing someone’s intimate photos to cause embarrassment or harm — is considered a form of sexualized violence, not a personal dispute.
How the Law Works
The BC Intimate Images Protection Act allows victims to file claims online through the Civil Resolution Tribunal rather than going to court. Survivors can:
Order platforms to remove or de-index private images
Force perpetrators to delete all copies
Request compensation for emotional and reputational damage
Since the Act came into effect, dozens of similar cases have been filed, with several victims already awarded the CRT’s maximum fine.
Why This Case Is Significant
This BC intimate images revenge porn Facebook case is a reminder of how quickly personal conflict can turn into criminal-like harm online.
For victims, the law offers privacy and control — no courtroom, no media exposure, and results that come in weeks instead of years. But advocates say the current $5,000 limit is still too low to reflect the trauma caused by image-based abuse.
That may soon change. Proposed updates to the BC Intimate Images Protection Act would increase the compensation cap to $75,000 and strengthen enforcement powers for faster takedowns.
Know What To Do If Your Images Are Shared
Everyone things that this is something that happens to other people until it happens to them. If it does, knowing the supports and steps available can help clear the fog of distress and help you take charge of the situation.
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