Revenge Porn Laws in Michigan (2026): Your Rights and What to Do

Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Michigan?

Yes. MCL section 750.145e prohibits intentionally disseminating sexually explicit visual material of another person, with intent to threaten, coerce or intimidate, where the person is 18 or over, is identifiable from the material or accompanying information, the material was obtained in circumstances where a reasonable person would understand it was to remain private, and the disseminator knows or should know there was no consent.

The intent element matters: Michigan requires proof of intent to threaten, coerce or intimidate rather than mere sharing without consent. Exceptions cover interactive computer and telecommunications services, news reporting and artistic works, law enforcement and corrections officers acting in their duties, and disclosure in the reporting of a crime.

Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in Michigan

Under MCL section 750.145f, a first violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to 93 days in jail, a fine of up to $500, or both. A second or subsequent violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Those figures are low compared with most states, but related conduct can be charged far more seriously. Threatening to release images to extract money or other advantage can be prosecuted as extortion under MCL section 750.213, a felony carrying up to 20 years, and images involving anyone under 18 fall under separate child-exploitation laws.

Can I Sue in Michigan?

For real images, Michigan has no dedicated civil statute. Victims generally pursue common-law claims such as invasion of privacy, intentional infliction of emotional distress, or breach of a written confidentiality agreement, and Michigan law preserves civil remedies alongside penal code offenses.

The Protection from Intimate Deep Fakes Act does create statutory civil liability for intimate deep fakes. Notably, that act provides that consent to the creation or transmission of a deep fake is generally not a defense unless the consent is contained in an agreement in writing, which underlines how much clearer a signed record makes any dispute. Michigan personal-injury style claims usually carry a three-year deadline under MCL section 600.5805, so confirm timing with a Michigan attorney.

Does Michigan Law Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?

Yes. The Protection from Intimate Deep Fakes Act, 2025 Public Act 11, effective 26 August 2025, prohibits intentionally creating or disseminating a deep fake that realistically depicts a person's intimate parts or sexual activity where the creator knew or should have known it would cause harm and the person is identifiable.

A basic violation is a misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, or both. It becomes a felony punishable by up to three years, a fine of up to $5,000, or both, where aggravating factors apply, such as financial loss to the victim, intent to profit, running a website or app for the purpose, posting the deep fake on a website, intent to harass, extort or threaten, or a prior conviction.

What to Do Right Now If Your Images Were Shared in Michigan

1. 1

   Preserve the Evidence Before Reporting It

   Save screenshots showing the post, account name, full URL, date and time. Keep original messages and files, and store copies somewhere the other person cannot access. Do not rely on a post remaining online.

2. 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. 3

   Use StopNCII.org to Limit Re-uploads

   For adult images, StopNCII creates a digital fingerprint on your 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. 4

   Report the Conduct in Michigan

   Contact local police or the relevant state victim-support service and refer to MCL § 750.145e. If threats, stalking, extortion, hacking, or images of a minor are involved, say so because separate and more serious offenses may apply.

5. 5

   Get Advice About Civil Protection

   Michigan has no dedicated civil statute for real images, though the 2025 intimate deep fakes act creates civil liability for fabricated content. Ask a Michigan attorney promptly about privacy torts, breach of a written agreement and any federal claim, as the general deadline is usually three years.

Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• MCL § 750.145e — dissemination of sexually explicit visual material
• MCL § 750.145f — penalties
• Protection from Intimate Deep Fakes Act, 2025 PA 11
• Michigan State Police Legal Update No. 168
• StopNCII.org

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