Revenge Porn Laws in New Hampshire (2026): Your Rights and What to Do
New Hampshire criminalizes sharing private sexual images without consent under RSA 644:9-a, with penalties that increase for repeat offenders. Civil options rely on common-law privacy claims rather than a dedicated statute, and AI-image coverage is not yet confirmed.
New Hampshire at a Glance
- Statute
- Nonconsensual Dissemination of Private Sexual Images — N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 644:9-a
- Criminal classification
- Misdemeanor; felony for repeat or aggravated offenses
- Maximum penalty
- Up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine for the misdemeanor; up to seven years in prison if charged as a felony
- Can you sue?
- Yes — civil claim generally pursued under New Hampshire common-law privacy tort principles
- Time limit to sue
- Generally three years under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4
- Deepfakes / AI images
- Unclear
Is Revenge Porn Illegal in New Hampshire?
Yes. N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 644:9-a makes it a crime to knowingly disclose a private sexual image of an identifiable person without their consent, where the image was obtained or created under circumstances in which the person had a reasonable expectation of privacy.
A private sexual image generally covers depictions of a person's genitals, pubic area, anus, or female nipple, or a person engaged in sexual activity. The offense applies to distributing, publishing, or otherwise disseminating the image to others, including online.
Exceptions exist for lawful purposes such as law enforcement investigations, legal proceedings, and matters of legitimate public concern, but sharing an ex-partner's private images out of anger or to embarrass them is covered conduct.
Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in New Hampshire
A first violation of § 644:9-a is generally a misdemeanor, carrying up to one year in jail and a fine of up to $2,000. Repeat offenses, or conduct involving aggravating factors such as distribution to a wide audience or use of the images to extort the victim, can be charged as a felony carrying up to seven years in prison.
Related charges often apply alongside this offense, including stalking, criminal threatening, and harassment. New Hampshire's computer crime statutes may apply if the images were obtained by hacking into an account or device.
If the images depict a minor, New Hampshire's child sexual abuse image statutes apply instead, carrying far more serious felony penalties.
Can I Sue Someone in New Hampshire?
New Hampshire does not have a dedicated civil statute for nonconsensual pornography, but victims can generally bring a civil claim under common-law privacy torts, such as public disclosure of private facts or intentional infliction of emotional distress, seeking damages for the harm caused.
Where the images were shared in breach of a written agreement between the two of you, that agreement can be used as evidence that there was no consent to share, supporting a related breach-of-contract claim.
New Hampshire's general personal-injury limitation period is three years under N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 508:4, so speak with a New Hampshire attorney promptly to preserve your options.
Does New Hampshire Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?
It is unclear. New Hampshire's statute was not written with AI-generated or 'deepfake' images specifically in mind, and there is no confirmed amendment extending § 644:9-a to synthetic images that only appear to depict a real person.
Victims of AI-generated intimate images should still preserve evidence and report to police, and can rely on the federal TAKE IT DOWN Act, which requires covered platforms to remove qualifying nonconsensual images, including digital forgeries, within 48 hours of a valid report.
What to Do Right Now If Your Images Were Shared in New Hampshire
- 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. Do not rely on a post staying online.
- 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 New Hampshire
Contact your local police department or sheriff's office and refer to N.H. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 644:9-a. Flag any threats, stalking, extortion, hacking or images of a minor, because separate and more serious offenses may apply.
- 5
Get Advice About the Civil Claim
Ask a New Hampshire attorney about a civil claim for public disclosure of private facts and about breach of any written agreement as evidence there was no consent to share. New Hampshire's general personal-injury limitation period is three years.
Be Safer With a Written NDA as Evidence
Most of New Hampshire'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 agreementNew Hampshire: Frequently Asked Questions
Is revenge porn a felony in New Hampshire?
Does New Hampshire law cover AI deepfake nudes?
Can I sue someone in New Hampshire for sharing intimate images?
Do I have to prove they wanted to hurt me?
What if the image was recorded without me knowing?
Sources
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This page provides general information about New Hampshire 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 New Hampshire. Last reviewed August 2026.