Revenge Porn Laws in Minnesota (2026): Your Rights and What to Do
Minnesota criminalizes nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images under § 617.261, with penalties that increase where the victim is a minor, the image was obtained through fraud or coercion, or the offender has a prior conviction. A companion civil statute, § 604.32, lets victims sue for damages, and both provisions expressly reach manipulated and AI-generated images.
Minnesota at a Glance
- Statute
- Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images — Minn. Stat. § 617.261
- Criminal classification
- Gross misdemeanor; felony for aggravating factors
- Maximum penalty
- Up to 1 year in jail and/or a $3,000 fine for a gross misdemeanor; up to 3 years in prison and/or a $10,000 fine where aggravating factors apply, and up to 7 years and/or a $10,000 fine for a repeat offense against the same victim
- Can you sue?
- Yes — Minn. Stat. § 604.32 (civil cause of action for nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images)
- Time limit to sue
- Generally two years for most personal-injury style tort claims under Minn. Stat. § 541.07, though § 604.32 itself does not set a separate limitation period distinct from general tort rules
- Deepfakes / AI images
- Covered
Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Minnesota?
Yes. Minn. Stat. § 617.261 makes it a crime to intentionally disseminate an image of another person depicted in a sexual act, or whose intimate parts are exposed, where the person is identifiable, the actor knows or reasonably should know the person did not consent to the dissemination, and the image was obtained or created under circumstances where the person had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
'Disseminate' is defined broadly to include distributing, publishing, or otherwise making an image available to any other person, including through electronic means. The statute applies whether the image is a genuine photograph or video, or an image that has been manipulated to depict the person.
Minnesota law also separately criminalizes the underlying act of secretly recording someone in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, under Minnesota's interference with privacy statute, § 609.746.
Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in Minnesota
A basic violation of § 617.261 is a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $3,000, or both.
The offense is enhanced to a felony, punishable by up to three years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, where aggravating factors are present, such as the victim being a minor, the offender having obtained the image through fraud, coercion, or a computer, or the offender having disseminated the image with intent to profit.
A further enhanced felony, carrying up to seven years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000, applies to a repeat violation against the same victim. Related charges such as stalking, harassment, and criminal sexual conduct may also apply depending on the facts.
Can I Sue Someone in Minnesota?
Yes. Minn. Stat. § 604.32 provides a specific civil cause of action for nonconsensual dissemination of private sexual images, allowing a victim to sue the person who disseminated the image regardless of whether they were ever criminally charged or convicted.
A successful claim can result in general and punitive damages, an award of attorney fees and costs, and injunctive relief requiring removal of the image and prohibiting further dissemination. If you had a written agreement about how images could be shared, proof that it was broken is useful evidence that there was no consent to share, in support of a related claim.
Minnesota's general limitation period for most personal-injury style tort claims is two years under § 541.07, so it is important to talk to a Minnesota attorney promptly about the deadline that applies to your specific claim.
Does Minnesota Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?
Yes. Both § 617.261 and the civil action under § 604.32 define a covered image to include one that has been digitally altered or created, including through the use of artificial intelligence, so long as a reasonable person would believe it depicts the actual person engaged in an actual sexual act or in a state of nudity.
This means fabricated or 'deepfake' intimate images of an identifiable Minnesotan can support both a criminal charge and a civil claim on the same basis as an authentic photograph. The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act adds a separate 48-hour platform removal duty for covered nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated content, once a valid report is made.
What to Do Right Now If Your Images Were Shared in Minnesota
- 1
Preserve the Evidence Before Reporting It
Save screenshots showing the post, the account name, the full URL, and the date and time before anything can be deleted. Keep original files and messages somewhere secure and separate from the other person.
- 2
Use the Platform's Intimate-Image Report
Use the platform's dedicated nonconsensual intimate imagery reporting tool rather than a general complaint, and keep any confirmation emails or reference numbers. Covered platforms also owe federal removal duties for valid reports.
- 3
Use StopNCII.org to Limit Re-Uploads
For adult images, StopNCII.org creates a digital fingerprint of the image on your own device and shares only that fingerprint, 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 Minnesota
Contact your local police department or sheriff and reference Minn. Stat. § 617.261, mentioning whether the image was manipulated or AI-generated. Flag any aggravating facts, such as a minor victim, fraud, coercion, or a prior offense.
- 5
Get Advice About the Civil Claim
Ask a Minnesota attorney about a civil claim under § 604.32 for damages and removal of the images, and about breach of any written agreement as evidence there was no consent to share.
Be Safer With a Written NDA as Evidence
Most of Minnesota'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 agreementMinnesota: Frequently Asked Questions
Is revenge porn a felony in Minnesota?
Does Minnesota law cover AI deepfake nudes?
Can I sue someone in Minnesota for sharing intimate images?
Do I need a criminal conviction before I can sue?
What if the picture was taken secretly in the first place?
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This page provides general information about Minnesota 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 Minnesota. Last reviewed August 2026.