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

    Utah was one of the first states to criminalize sharing intimate images without consent, and it now backs that up with a civil action, a sexual-extortion offense, and a separate crime for counterfeit or AI-generated intimate images. Recent legislation continues to expand and reorganize these protections.

    Utah at a Glance

    Statute
    Distribution of an intimate image — Utah Code § 76-5b-203
    Criminal classification
    Class A misdemeanor; third-degree felony for aggravated circumstances
    Maximum penalty
    Up to 364 days in jail and a $2,500 fine for a Class A misdemeanor; up to five years in prison for a third-degree felony
    Can you sue?
    Yes — Utah Code Title 76, Chapter 5b (civil action for unauthorized distribution of intimate images, as amended by the 2026 Uniform Intimate Images Amendments)
    Time limit to sue
    Generally within four years for injury to personal rights not otherwise specified, under Utah's general civil limitation rules
    Deepfakes / AI images
    Covered

    Is Revenge Porn Illegal in Utah?

    Yes. Utah Code § 76-5b-203 makes it a crime to knowingly or intentionally distribute an intimate image of an identifiable adult when the person knows the depicted individual did not consent to the distribution and the image was obtained or created under circumstances where a reasonable person would know it should remain private.

    Intimate images include depictions of nudity or sexual conduct. Distribution covers posting online, texting, emailing, or otherwise sharing the image with even a single other person.

    Utah also has a separate offense for aggravated unlawful distribution of a counterfeit intimate image, which reaches fabricated or digitally altered images that appear to depict a real, identifiable adult.

    Penalties for Sharing Intimate Images in Utah

    A standard violation of § 76-5b-203 is a Class A misdemeanor, carrying up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500.

    The offense is enhanced to a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, where aggravating factors apply, such as distributing the image to profit, distributing it to harass with additional threats, or a prior conviction under the section.

    Separate Utah offenses can also apply, including sexual extortion under § 76-5b-204 where someone threatens to release images unless paid or given further images, stalking, and harassment.

    Can I Sue Someone in Utah?

    Yes. Utah law provides a civil action allowing a person depicted in a nonconsensually distributed intimate image to sue the discloser for damages, and the 2026 Uniform Intimate Images Amendments (SB 310) reorganize and strengthen this civil remedy across the state.

    Available relief typically includes compensatory damages, and in some circumstances statutory or punitive damages, plus injunctive relief ordering removal of the material and a bar on further distribution.

    If you had a written agreement about how intimate images would be handled, breaching that agreement is evidence there was no consent to share it, and a Utah attorney can advise on pursuing that alongside the statutory civil claim.

    Does Utah Cover Deepfakes and AI Images?

    Yes, largely. Utah's aggravated unlawful distribution of a counterfeit intimate image offense criminalizes distributing a fabricated or AI-generated image that appears to depict a real, identifiable adult without consent, and the 2026 Uniform Intimate Images Amendments continue to update these protections.

    The federal TAKE IT DOWN Act adds a nationwide backstop, requiring covered platforms to remove reported nonconsensual intimate images, including AI-generated forgeries, within 48 hours of a valid request.

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

    1. 1

      Preserve the Evidence Before Reporting It

      Capture screenshots showing the image, the account that posted it, the URL, and the date and time before the post can be taken down or edited. Store originals somewhere secure.

    2. 2

      Use the Platform's Intimate-Image Report

      Use the platform's dedicated nonconsensual intimate imagery reporting tool rather than a general complaint, and save any confirmation or case number you are given.

    3. 3

      Use StopNCII.org to Limit Re-Uploads

      StopNCII.org lets adults create a digital fingerprint of an image on their own device, which participating platforms use to block re-uploads without ever seeing the image. If you were under 18, use NCMEC's Take It Down service.

    4. 4

      Report It in Utah

      Contact your local police department and reference Utah Code § 76-5b-203, or the counterfeit-image offense if the material is AI-generated. Mention any extortion, threats, or stalking so they can be charged too.

    5. 5

      Get Advice About the Civil Claim

      Speak with a Utah attorney about the civil action for distributing an intimate image and about any written agreement showing there was no consent to share it.

    Be Safer With a Written NDA as Evidence

    Most of Utah'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 agreement

    Utah: Frequently Asked Questions

    Is revenge porn a felony in Utah?
    It is typically a Class A misdemeanor, but it becomes a third-degree felony, punishable by up to five years in prison, where aggravating factors like profit motive or a prior conviction apply.
    Does Utah law cover AI deepfake nudes?
    Yes. Utah separately criminalizes aggravated unlawful distribution of a counterfeit intimate image that appears to depict a real, identifiable adult, and recent legislation continues to expand these protections.
    Can I sue someone in Utah for sharing intimate images?
    Yes. Utah law provides a civil action for damages against whoever distributed the image without consent, independent of any criminal case.
    Do I have to prove a revenge motive?
    No. The core offense requires knowing distribution without consent under circumstances where privacy was expected; a specific motive to harm is not an element.
    What if the image is a deepfake made from my social media photos?
    Utah's counterfeit intimate image offense can apply if the fabricated image appears to depict you and was distributed without your consent.

    Sources

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    This page provides general information about Utah 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 Utah. Last reviewed August 2026.