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

Is Revenge Porn Illegal in North Carolina?

Yes. Under N.C.G.S. section 14-190.5A, a person is guilty of disclosure of private images if they knowingly disclose an image of an identifiable person with intent to coerce, harass, intimidate, demean, humiliate or cause financial loss, or to cause others to do so, where intimate parts are exposed or sexual conduct is shown.

The offense also requires that the disclosure was without affirmative consent and that the image was obtained, created or modified without consent, or in circumstances where the person knew or should have known the images were expected to remain private. Exceptions cover voluntary public or commercial exposure, disclosures in the public interest such as reporting unlawful conduct, and interactive computer services carrying content provided by others.

Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in North Carolina

For an offender aged 18 or over, the violation is a Class H felony. Under North Carolina structured sentencing, a Class H felony generally carries a term in the region of 4 to 25 months, with the actual range set by prior record level and whether the sentence is in the mitigated, presumptive or aggravated range.

For a first offense by a person under 18, the violation is a Class 1 misdemeanor, and a second or subsequent offense by someone under 18 is a Class H felony. In addition to any penalty, the court may order destruction of any image made in violation of the section, and other criminal and civil remedies are preserved.

Can I Sue in North Carolina?

Yes, and the remedy is unusually strong. Section 14-190.5A(g) gives any person whose image is disclosed or used a civil claim for actual damages, but not less than liquidated damages calculated at $1,000 per day for each day of the violation or $10,000, whichever is higher, plus punitive damages and reasonable attorney fees and litigation costs. A court can also order the image destroyed.

The deadline is short. The action must be brought no more than one year after the initial discovery of the disclosure, and in no event more than seven years from the most recent disclosure. Because that one-year window can pass quickly, contacting a North Carolina attorney early is important.

Does North Carolina Law Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?

Yes. The statutory definition of image includes a digital or computer-generated visual depiction, including a realistic depiction created, adapted or modified by technological means such as algorithms or artificial intelligence, where a reasonable person would believe it depicts an identifiable individual.

The offense text also refers to intimate parts being realistically depicted as exposed, which reaches fabricated content. Federal law can additionally apply to qualifying digital forgeries and requires covered platforms to run a notice-and-removal process.

What to Do Right Now If Your Images Were Shared in North Carolina

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 North Carolina

   Contact local police or the relevant state victim-support service and refer to G.S. § 14-190.5A. 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

   North Carolina allows liquidated damages of $1,000 per day or $10,000, whichever is higher, plus punitive damages and attorney fees, but the claim must be filed within one year of discovering the disclosure, so speak to a North Carolina attorney immediately.

North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions

Sources

• N.C.G.S. § 14-190.5A — disclosure of private images
• North Carolina General Assembly — General Statutes
• North Carolina Department of Justice — victim resources
• StopNCII.org

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