Revenge Porn Laws in Iowa (2026): Your Rights and What to Do
Iowa treats nonconsensual sharing of intimate images as a form of harassment under its general harassment statute, with penalties that rise sharply for repeat conduct. A separate Chapter 659A civil remedy lets you sue for damages independently of any criminal case, though Iowa's coverage of AI-generated deepfakes remains unsettled.
Iowa at a Glance
- Statute
- Harassment (nonconsensual dissemination of intimate images) — Iowa Code § 708.7(1)(a)(5)
- Criminal classification
- Third-degree harassment (simple misdemeanor) for a first offense; first-degree harassment (aggravated misdemeanor) for repeat offenders
- Maximum penalty
- Up to 30 days in jail and a $855 fine for a simple misdemeanor; up to two years in prison and a $8,540 fine if elevated to first-degree harassment for a repeat offense
- Can you sue?
- Yes — Iowa Code Chapter 659A (Unauthorized Disclosure of Intimate Images — Civil Remedy)
- Time limit to sue
- Generally two years from discovery under Iowa Code § 659A.7
- Deepfakes / AI images
- Partly covered
Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa Code § 708.7(1)(a)(5) makes it harassment to disseminate, publish, distribute, post, or cause to be disseminated, published, distributed or posted a photograph or film showing another person in a state of full or partial nudity or engaged in a sex act, knowing that the person has not consented to the sharing.
The law does not require proof of an intent to profit; it is enough that the person acted with intent to intimidate, annoy or alarm and knew the depicted person had not consented. Exceptions exist for voluntary exposure in public or commercial settings and for good-faith news reporting or legal disclosures.
Because the offense sits inside Iowa's general harassment statute, the same section also covers other conduct such as threatening communications, so a single case can involve multiple counts.
Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in Iowa
A first violation of § 708.7(1)(a)(5) is harassment in the first degree, an aggravated misdemeanor, but if that specific subsection is the basis for the charge it is elevated to first-degree harassment even on a first offense, punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $8,540.
Where a person has three or more prior harassment convictions within the preceding ten years, later offenses can be charged even more seriously. Related charges such as stalking under § 708.11, invasion of privacy, or extortion may also apply where the image was used to threaten or intimidate.
Iowa also has a sex offender registration provision the court must consider for this offense, which can carry consequences well beyond the immediate sentence.
Can I Sue Someone in Iowa?
Yes. Iowa Code Chapter 659A creates a specific civil action for the unauthorized disclosure of intimate images, allowing the person depicted to sue the person who disclosed the image for damages, including for emotional distress, and for injunctive relief.
The civil claim does not require a criminal conviction and can proceed on its own timeline. Where the image was shared in breach of a written agreement between you and the other person, that agreement can serve as evidence there was no consent to share it, supporting a related contract claim.
Chapter 659A generally allows two years from when you discovered or reasonably should have discovered the disclosure to bring a claim, so consult an Iowa attorney promptly.
Does Iowa Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?
This is unclear. Iowa's harassment statute and Chapter 659A civil remedy define the covered material as a photograph or film of a real depiction, and neither currently contains explicit language extending to images created or manipulated by artificial intelligence.
Regardless of gaps in Iowa's own statute, the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act requires covered platforms to remove reported nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated fakes, within 48 hours of a valid request, so victims of deepfakes still have a fast removal path even while state law catches up.
What to Do Right Now If Your Images Were Shared in Iowa
- 1
Preserve the Evidence Before Reporting It
Save screenshots showing the post, the account name, the full URL, and the date and time. Keep original messages and files, and store copies somewhere the other person cannot reach.
- 2
Use the Platform's Intimate-Image Report
Choose the nonconsensual intimate imagery or sexual-content reporting route rather than a general complaint. Keep confirmation emails and case numbers. Covered platforms also have federal notice-and-removal duties for valid reports.
- 3
Use StopNCII.org to Limit Re-Uploads
For adult images, StopNCII creates a digital fingerprint on your own device and shares the hash, not the image, with participating platforms. If the image was taken while you were under 18, use NCMEC's Take It Down service instead.
- 4
Report It in Iowa
Contact your local police department or sheriff's office and refer to Iowa Code § 708.7(1)(a)(5). Flag any threats, stalking, or extortion, because separate and more serious offenses may apply.
- 5
Get Advice About the Civil Claim
Ask an Iowa attorney about the civil action under Chapter 659A and about breach of any written agreement. The general deadline is two years from discovery.
Be Safer With a Written NDA as Evidence
Most of Iowa's law is about what happens after the damage is done. The one thing you can do beforehand is put the boundary in writing. A Discreetly agreement is signed by both people, timestamped, and identity-verifiable, and it states plainly that neither person has consent to share, publish or show the material to anyone else.
Where the law turns on the absence of consent to share, a signed agreement may provide useful documentary evidence that there was no consent to share. It cannot prevent a breach or guarantee a legal outcome, but it can make the agreed boundary clearer than relying only on informal messages. Creating one is free.
Create a free agreementIowa: Frequently Asked Questions
Is revenge porn a felony in Iowa?
Does Iowa law cover AI deepfake nudes?
Can I sue someone in Iowa for sharing intimate images?
Do I have to prove they wanted to hurt me?
What if I sent the image to them under a written agreement not to share it?
Sources
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This page provides general information about Iowa law and is not legal advice. Laws change and outcomes depend on the facts. For advice on your situation, speak to a qualified attorney licensed in Iowa. Last reviewed August 2026.