Deepfake or fake profile: who to turn to in your country

What works in every country

1. Keep evidence before anything else: the exact address of each page and account, and a dated screenshot. How to save evidence.
2. Report on the platform with the precise reason. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X, YouTube, LinkedIn and Google accept reports from every country. Fake profile: the steps. Deepfake: the steps.
3. For an intimate image, real or fake, use StopNCII.org if you have the image, and ask Google to remove it from its results. Fake nude: the steps.
4. If the platform refuses, appeal and cite its own rule, word for word. Platforms judge reports against their rules first and local law second, so an appeal that only cites a law they do not know often fails.
5. Go to the police if you want the person behind it found and prosecuted. It is not needed for the removal itself.

In the European Union

The Digital Services Act gives the same rights in all 27 member states. A platform must handle a precise report diligently and tell you what it decided, with the ways to challenge it (art. 16). If it refuses, you can file an internal complaint in the app (art. 20), then go to a certified out-of-court dispute body (art. 21). For fake accounts, User Rights accepts cases for free, but only for content in English, German, French or Italian. Appeals Centre Europe does not handle fake accounts. Each country also has a coordinator that supervises the platforms: it does not remove content, but it takes complaints when a platform ignores the rules.

Courts are applying these duties. On 20 January 2026, the Higher Regional Court of Munich ruled that once a fake profile has been properly reported, the platform must block it quickly, and also identical or near-identical copies that reappear under another address, without a new report (case 18 U 2360/25).

Directive (EU) 2024/1385 requires every member state to make it a crime to share intimate images without consent, including fake or manipulated ones, by 14 June 2027. Until then, the law still differs from one country to the next, as the entries below show.

Northern Europe and the Baltics

Denmark

• Where to report: The police have an online form for intimate images shared without consent (politi.dk), and they then ask the platforms to remove them. Police phone: 114.
• What the law says: Sharing images of someone's private life, such as intimate images, without consent is a crime (Criminal Code, § 264 d): up to 6 months, 3 years if aggravated, and from January 2027 up to 1 year for the basic offence. Since July 2025, sharing or producing manipulated sexual material of a person is a crime (§ 264 e, up to 6 months), and the same section punishes posing as someone with their name or picture. A bill protecting likeness and voice against deepfakes was before Parliament in October 2026.
• EU coordinator (DSA): the Danish Agency for Digital Government (Digitaliseringsstyrelsen).
• Free help: Offerrådgivningen, 116 006.

Sweden

• Where to report: The police, by phone at 114 14 or at a police station. For nude images, the police ask victims not to use the web form.
• What the law says: Spreading nude or intimate images of someone in a way liable to cause serious harm is a crime (Brottsbalken, chapter 4, section 6 c): up to 2 years, and up to 6 years if aggravated. Using someone's identity to pose as them is section 6 b, up to 2 years. Whether fully AI-made images are covered is uncertain: a government inquiry of June 2026 proposes covering fake or manipulated intimate material from June 2027.
• EU coordinator (DSA): PTS (Post- och telestyrelsen), after you have reported to the platform.
• Free help: Brottsofferjouren, 116 006.

Norway

• Where to report: Slettmeg.no gives free advice on getting fake profiles and forged nude images removed. To report a crime to the police, call 02800 or go to a station.
• What the law says: Sharing offensive or obviously private images, such as intimate ones, is a crime (Penal Code, § 267 a): up to 1 year. Acting with someone's identity to gain something or cause harm is § 202, up to 2 years. Whether fully AI-made images are covered is disputed.
• EU coordinator (DSA): none yet. Norway is outside the EU and the Digital Services Act is not yet part of its law. Nkom will be the coordinator.
• Free help: the police support centres for victims of crime, 800 40 008.

Finland

• Where to report: The police, with the online crime report (poliisi.fi) or at a station. In an emergency, 112.
• What the law says: Since January 2023, distributing a real or deceptively realistic sexual image of someone without permission is a crime (Criminal Code, chapter 20, section 7), so sexual deepfakes are covered: up to 2 years. Identity theft (chapter 38, section 9 a) carries a fine.
• EU coordinator (DSA): Traficom.
• Free help: Victim Support Finland (RIKU), 116 006.

Estonia

• Where to report: The police web constables (politsei.ee) advise on fake or misused social media accounts and help with removal requests. A police report can be filed online with an ID card, Mobile-ID or Smart-ID.
• What the law says: There is no specific offence yet for sharing intimate images. A government bill creating one, including AI-altered material, up to 2 years, passed its first reading on 21 October 2026. Using someone's identity to create a false impression that harms them is a crime (Penal Code, § 157²), up to 3 years.
• EU coordinator (DSA): TTJA (Tarbijakaitse ja Tehnilise Järelevalve Amet).
• Free help: Victim Support crisis line, 116 006, in Estonian, Russian and English.

Latvia

• Where to report: The State Police, at any police station or electronically through latvija.gov.lv. In an emergency, 112.
• What the law says: Since 2026, sharing intimate material of someone without consent is a crime, including material produced or altered by technical means such as AI (Criminal Law, section 145¹): up to 1 year, and up to 3 years if it causes substantial harm.
• EU coordinator (DSA): PTAC (Patērētāju tiesību aizsardzības centrs).
• Free help: the support line for victims of crime, 116006.

Lithuania

• Where to report: Švarus internetas (svarusinternetas.lt), the hotline of the Communications Regulatory Authority, takes reports of illegal or harmful content, including personal photos published without consent that a site refuses to remove. Police: e-policija.lt, or 112.
• What the law says: No Lithuanian offence names deepfakes. Depending on the case, the Criminal Code's offences against private life may apply.
• EU coordinator (DSA): RRT (Ryšių reguliavimo tarnyba), after you have reported to the platform.
• Free help: the Women's Helpline, 0 800 66366, for women.

Central and Eastern Europe

Poland

• Where to report: Dyżurnet.pl, run by NASK, helps adults whose nude images were shared without consent and victims of sextortion, through its online form or the mObywatel app. To report a crime, go to any police station or prosecutor. In an emergency, 112.
• What the law says: Sharing an image of a naked person or of sexual activity without their consent is a crime (Criminal Code, art. 191a): up to 5 years, prosecuted at the victim's request. Posing as someone with their image or personal data to harm them is art. 190a § 2, up to 8 years. No offence names deepfakes yet: prosecutors use the impersonation and pornography offences, and a bill to cover them was filed in October 2026.
• EU coordinator (DSA): UKE (Urząd Komunikacji Elektronicznej), with powers under a law in force from November 2026.
• Free help: the Victim Helpline (Linia Pomocy Pokrzywdzonym), +48 222 309 900.

Czechia

• Where to report: STOPonline.cz takes reports of intimate content shared without consent, identity theft and misuse of personal data. Criminal complaints go to the police (policie.gov.cz) or any police station.
• What the law says: Since 1 January 2026, making or spreading pornographic material that uses a person without their consent is a crime, AI-made material included (Criminal Code, § 191a): up to 2 years, up to 3 years when spread online, prosecuted with the victim's consent. Making or spreading a realistic fake of someone's likeness to seriously harm their rights is § 181(2), with the same penalties.
• EU coordinator (DSA): ČTÚ (Český telekomunikační úřad). Its enforcement powers depend on a bill still before Parliament in October 2026.
• Free help: Bílý kruh bezpečí, 116 006, free.

Slovakia

• Where to report: The media regulator (rpms.sk) has a form for illegal content and can order removal once the platform has been told. Police: minv.sk, any police station, or 112.
• What the law says: Publishing online an image or recording of someone first obtained with their consent, in a way that can seriously harm their reputation, is a crime (Criminal Code, § 360b): up to 3 years, up to 6 in the most serious cases. The same section punishes acting in someone's name online without permission. Fake or AI-made images are not covered, and bills to change that were reported in 2026.
• EU coordinator (DSA): Rada pre mediálne služby, the same regulator.
• Free help: the Ministry of Interior offices for victims of crime (prevenciakriminality.sk).

Hungary

• Where to report: The NMHH Internet Hotline takes reports of intimate recordings of adults published without consent, asks the platform to remove them and handles these cases first. Police: police.hu, or any police station.
• What the law says: Since 2013, making or publishing a false sound or image recording to damage someone's honour is a crime (Criminal Code, §§ 226/A and 226/B): up to 3 years if before a large audience. It can apply to AI deepfakes. Sharing real intimate images and online impersonation are not named crimes, but misuse of personal data (§ 219) or harassment (§ 222) may apply.
• EU coordinator (DSA): NMHH (Nemzeti Média- és Hírközlési Hatóság), for providers established in Hungary, after the platform's own complaint system.
• Free help: LESZ emotional support line, 116-123.

Romania

• Where to report: The Romanian Police (politiaromana.ro) or any police station. In an emergency, 112. The national hotline Ora de Net handles content involving children only.
• What the law says: No offence names deepfakes: a bill on them passed the Senate in June 2023 and is still before the Chamber of Deputies. Disclosing images or recordings of someone's private life obtained unlawfully is a crime (Criminal Code, art. 226), prosecuted on the victim's complaint.
• EU coordinator (DSA): ANCOM.
• Free help: the national helpline for victims of violence (ANES), 0800 500 333, free.

Bulgaria

• Where to report: The Cybercrime Directorate of the Ministry of Interior (cybercrime.bg), or any police station. In an emergency, 112.
• What the law says: No offence names deepfakes, intimate images shared without consent or online impersonation. Depending on the case, the offences on pornographic material (Criminal Code, art. 159) or stalking (art. 144a) may apply.
• EU coordinator (DSA): the Communications Regulation Commission (CRC).
• Free help: Animus Association, 02 981 76 86.

Ireland, Southern Europe and Turkey

Ireland

• Where to report: Hotline.ie takes reports of intimate images shared without consent, through a form built with An Garda Síochána. You can also go to any Garda station.
• What the law says: Coco's Law (2020) makes it a crime to share or threaten to share an intimate image without consent: up to 7 years. Whether it covers AI-made images is disputed, and two bills to cover them were before the Dáil in 2026. Since November 2023, impersonating a person is listed as harassment or stalking, up to 10 years.
• EU coordinator (DSA): Coimisiún na Meán.
• Free help: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre, 1800 77 8888, day and night.

Portugal

• Where to report: The cybercrime office of the Public Prosecution Service has an online report form (cibercrime.ministeriopublico.pt). You can also go to any PSP or GNR station.
• What the law says: Spreading images of someone's private or sexual life online without consent is a crime (Penal Code, art. 193): up to 5 years, usually prosecuted on the victim's complaint. No law targets sexual deepfakes yet.
• Free help: APAV, 116 006, and its Safer Internet Line, 800 21 90 90, for online abuse.

Greece

• Where to report: The Hellenic Police Cyber Crime Division, 11188, or online through gov.gr. SafeLine (safeline.gr) takes reports of illegal content, including personal data published without consent.
• What the law says: Since June 2022, disclosing a real, altered or fabricated image of someone's sexual life is a crime (Penal Code, art. 346), so shared sexual deepfakes are covered: at least 3 years, up to 8 years when posted online.
• EU coordinator (DSA): EETT.
• Free help: SOS line 15900, for women victims of violence.

Croatia

• Where to report: Any police station, 192, or by e-mail to the Ministry of the Interior. The Safer Internet Centre hotline (csi.hr) takes anonymous reports.
• What the law says: Since July 2021, creating or altering a sexual recording with a computer and using it as if it were real is a crime (Criminal Code, art. 144.a): up to 3 years when spread online, prosecuted at the victim's request. Misusing someone's personal data, as a fake profile can, is art. 146.
• EU coordinator (DSA): HAKOM.
• Free help: the victim support line, 116 006.

Slovenia

• Where to report: The police, 113, or any police station. There is no national hotline for adults' intimate images: Spletno oko only handles child abuse images.
• What the law says: Publishing someone's sexual recordings without consent is a crime, 3 months to 3 years (Criminal Code, art. 143), prosecuted at the victim's request. The same article punishes taking over someone's identity. It does not mention fabricated images.
• EU coordinator (DSA): AKOS, which does not handle complaints about content itself.
• Free help: SOS helpline, 080 11 55.

Turkey

• Where to report: For a violation of your private life online, you can ask through e-Devlet for the address to be blocked: access providers must block it within 4 hours, and you then have 24 hours to bring the request before a criminal judge of peace. This role moved from BTK to the Cyber Security Presidency in July 2026. A complaint to the police must be filed in person, at a police station or the prosecutor's office.
• What the law says: Disclosing images of someone's private life is a crime (Penal Code, art. 134): 2 to 5 years, on the victim's complaint. Spreading someone's personal data, which a fake account can do, is art. 136, 2 to 4 years. There is no deepfake offence.
• Free help: ALO 183.

The Americas

Canada

• Where to report: Your local police, and the national Report Cybercrime and Fraud system run by the RCMP and the Canadian Anti-Fraud Centre. For anyone under 18: Cybertip.ca.
• What the law says: Sharing an intimate image without consent is a crime (Criminal Code, s. 162.1): up to 10 years. Since 18 July 2026, it expressly covers images made with AI that are likely to be mistaken for real ones, and threatening to share is a separate crime. Impersonating someone to gain an advantage or cause harm is identity fraud (s. 403), up to 10 years. In British Columbia, the Civil Resolution Tribunal can order images removed for free, deepfakes included, and award up to CAD 75,000.
• Free help: the Justice Canada Victim Services Directory lists local services.

Brazil

• Where to report: The Polícia Civil of your state, many of which have an online police station. SaferNet Brasil takes anonymous reports, and its helpline advises people whose intimate images leaked.
• What the law says: Spreading a sex or nudity scene without consent is a crime (Penal Code, art. 218-C): 4 to 10 years since December 2025. Making a montage that places someone in a sexual scene is already a crime (art. 216-B). Under the Marco Civil da Internet (art. 21), a platform that does not remove intimate images after the victim's notice becomes liable, with no court order needed. Using a false identity is art. 307.
• Free help: Ligue 180.

Mexico

• Where to report: The 088 line of the National Guard advises on online crimes. The formal complaint goes to your state prosecutor's office (Fiscalía).
• What the law says: The Ley Olimpia (2021) makes it a federal crime to share or create intimate sexual content without consent, 3 to 6 years, including content attributed to someone who is not in it. Most states have their own version, and Mexico City expressly covers "simulated" content. A prosecutor or judge can order platforms to take the content down at once. A federal reform on AI passed the Chamber of Deputies in April 2026 and is still in the Senate.
• Free help: Línea de las Mujeres, 079, option 1.

Peru

• Where to report: The police high-technology crime unit (DIVINDAT), 1818, or any police station. A complaint can also be filed online with the Public Prosecutor, on gob.pe.
• What the law says: Since August 2024, spreading sexual content without consent is a crime even when the material was made or modified by digital means (Penal Code, art. 154-B): up to 6 years, and prosecutors act without waiting for a complaint. Impersonating someone by digital means and causing harm is 3 to 5 years (Law 30096, art. 9). Since 2025, using AI makes a crime more serious.
• Free help: Línea 100.

Colombia

• Where to report: The police CAI Virtual gives advice online, and ¡ADenunciar! takes complaints online.
• What the law says: There is no specific crime for sharing intimate images. The Constitutional Court confirmed it in ruling T-184 of June 2026 and urged Congress to act. Other crimes are used, such as the violation of personal data (Penal Code, art. 269F). Since July 2026, the fine for impersonation (art. 296) is raised by up to a third when AI is used.
• Free help: Línea 155.

Argentina

• Where to report: The cybercrime prosecution unit (UFECI), or any police station or prosecutor's office, which must take your complaint. Line 137 advises on digital violence.
• What the law says: There is no national crime for sharing adults' intimate images or for deepfakes. The Ley Olimpia (2023) is not a criminal law: it lets a judge order platforms to delete the specific addresses of intimate material, "real or edited". In Buenos Aires City, sharing intimate images and digital impersonation are minor offences.
• Free help: Línea 144.

Chile

• Where to report: The cybercrime brigade of the PDI (134), the Carabineros, or the local prosecutor's office.
• What the law says: Since June 2024, sharing intimate sexual images without authorisation is a crime (Penal Code, art. 161-D): 61 to 540 days. Whether it covers images made entirely with AI is unclear, and two deepfake bills are still in Congress. Using someone else's name is art. 214.
• Free help: Fono 1455.

Asia-Pacific

Australia

• Where to report: The eSafety Commissioner (esafety.gov.au) can order platforms, and the person who posted, to remove intimate images, deepfakes included. Police: ReportCyber, or 131 444.
• What the law says: Since September 2024, sharing sexual material of an adult without consent is a crime whether it is real or made with technology (Criminal Code, s. 474.17A): up to 6 years, and 7 years for the person who created or altered it. There is no federal impersonation offence: online harassment is s. 474.17, up to 5 years.
• Free help: 1800RESPECT, 1800 737 732.

New Zealand

• Where to report: Netsafe (netsafe.org.nz), the official agency under the Harmful Digital Communications Act, helps get content removed. Police: 105.
• What the law says: Posting an intimate recording of someone without consent is a crime: up to 2 years or NZ$50,000. Sexual deepfakes are probably not covered yet, and a bill to include them passed its first reading in May 2026. Since 26 May 2026, stalking is a crime, up to 5 years, and the police list impersonating someone online and posting fake images of them among stalking acts.
• Free help: Safe to talk, 0800 044 334.

India

• Where to report: The National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal (cybercrime.gov.in), or your local police cyber cell.
• What the law says: Since 20 February 2026, platforms must remove content showing a person's private area, nudity or sexual acts, or impersonating them, including artificially morphed images, within 2 hours of that person's complaint (IT Rules 2021). There is no deepfake offence, but publishing sexually explicit material online (IT Act, s. 67A, up to 5 years) and cheating by personation (s. 66D, up to 3 years) are used.
• Free help: National Commission for Women, 14490.

Philippines

• Where to report: The Philippine National Police Anti-Cybercrime Group, named by the Safe Spaces Act to receive complaints of online sexual harassment, or the NBI Cybercrime Division.
• What the law says: Copying or sharing images of someone's sexual act or private parts without consent is a crime, even if they agreed to the recording (Republic Act 9995): 3 to 7 years. The Safe Spaces Act (Republic Act 11313) counts sharing sexual content without consent, and impersonating the victim online, as online sexual harassment. There is no deepfake law yet.

Singapore

• Where to report: The Online Safety Commission (osc.gov.sg), operating since 29 June 2026. For intimate image abuse, real or AI-generated, you can report to it directly, without going to the platform first. Police: online report, or 1800-255-0000.
• What the law says: Distributing or threatening to distribute an intimate image without consent is a crime (Penal Code, s. 377BE): up to 5 years, a fine or caning. Since 17 August 2026, it expressly covers altered or generated images.
• Free help: SHECARES, 8001 01 4616.

Japan

• Where to report: The police: #9110 for advice, or the National Police Agency online. Safe Line (safe-line.jp), run by an industry association, asks sites to delete intimate images for free.
• What the law says: Sharing private sexual images (2014 law, up to 3 years) and filming someone sexually without consent (2023 law) are crimes, but both cover real photos and recordings only. There is no national law against sexual deepfakes: defamation or obscenity offences are used instead.
• Free help: the one-stop support centres for sexual violence, #8891.

South Korea

• Where to report: The National Center for Digital Sexual Crime Response helps with deletion, evidence and police reports. Police: the online cybercrime report system (ecrm.police.go.kr), or 112.
• What the law says: Making or distributing a sexual deepfake of someone against their will is a crime (Sexual Crimes Act, art. 14-2): up to 7 years or KRW 50 million. Since October 2024, even possessing, buying, storing or viewing one is a crime, up to 3 years. There is no impersonation offence: fake profiles that harm a reputation are prosecuted as online defamation.
• Free help: Women's Emergency Line, 1366, at any hour.

Africa

South Africa

• Where to report: The Film and Publication Board (fpb.org.za) takes complaints and sends takedown notices to platforms. Police: open a case at a SAPS station, or call 10111.
• What the law says: Sharing an intimate image without consent is a crime, and the law covers images that are "real or simulated", so deepfakes are included (Cybercrimes Act, s. 16): up to 3 years.
• Free help: Gender-Based Violence Command Centre, 0800 428 428.

Nigeria

• Where to report: The National Cybercrime Centre of the Nigeria Police Force has an online reporting portal (nccc.npf.gov.ng). You can also go to any police station, or call 112.
• What the law says: No offence targets intimate images or deepfakes as such. Prosecutors use the Cybercrimes Act: sending pornographic material (s. 24, up to 3 years), threats to extort money (up to 5 years) and impersonation (s. 22).

Kenya

• Where to report: The National Computer and Cybercrimes Coordination Committee (NC4) has a citizen report form (nc4.go.ke). Police: any station, 999 or 112.
• What the law says: Publishing someone's intimate image is an offence (Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act, s. 37): up to 2 years or KES 200,000. Fraudulently using someone's identifying information is s. 29, up to 3 years.
• Free help: the national gender-based violence helpline, 1195.

Countries covered elsewhere on this site

Our guides for the United States, the United Kingdom and France are in English. Germany, Austria and Switzerland have a guide in German, Spain and Latin America in Spanish, Italy in Italian, the Netherlands and Flanders in Dutch, and Belgium, Switzerland and Luxembourg have their own pages in French.