My ex-partner shared my private photos online without consent, what are my legal options?

Intimate photos or videos of me were leaked/shared online by someone I trusted, without my permission. I have been reading conflicting things online and I would like to understand what Indian law actually says about this, which Act and Section applies, what the realistic timelines and costs are, and what I should be doing right now to protect my position. If the matter can be resolved without litigation I would prefer that route, but I want to know what my rights are before I agree to anything or sign any document.

My ex-partner shared my private photos online without consent, what are my legal options? is governed in India primarily by Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66E, Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 67A, Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 – Section 77 and Indecent Representation of Women (Prohibition) Act, 1986. The short answer is set out below, followed by the practical steps most people in this situation need to take. Read it alongside the specific provisions named, because the exact relief available to you turns on the facts you can prove on paper.

Section 66E of the IT Act punishes capturing, publishing or transmitting images of a person's private area without consent with up to 3 years imprisonment and Rs 2 lakh fine, covering most revenge-porn scenarios.

If the content is sexually explicit, Section 67A (publishing sexually explicit material) applies with a stiffer penalty of up to 5 years for a first conviction and up to 10 years for repeat offences.

Section 77 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 punishes voyeurism, and Section 78 covers stalking including cyberstalking, both of which often accompany revenge porn cases.

You can request emergency content takedown directly through the National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal's dedicated 'Report Cyber Crime related to Women/Child' section, which is processed faster and more sensitively.

Courts routinely grant anonymity to the victim in such cases, and you can request the police and media to withhold your identity under Section 72 of the IT Act (breach of confidentiality) as well.

What to do next: 1) Preserve evidence (screenshots, URLs) before reporting, without re-sharing the content; 2) File a complaint on cybercrime.gov.in under the women/child category for faster action; 3) Request platform takedown citing Section 66E/67A and the IT Rules, 2021; 4) Engage a lawyer to seek an injunction and anonymity order if the matter goes to court.

If the other side has already issued a notice, filed a case or set a deadline, treat the matter as time-sensitive — most remedies under Information Technology Act, 2000 – Section 66E carry limitation periods, and a delay you cannot explain weakens an otherwise strong case. You can post the details on the MyVakeel forum for a practising advocate to review, or book a paid consultation with a Bar Council verified lawyer in this practice area.

Disclaimer: This information is for general awareness and does not constitute legal advice. Statutes and their interpretation change, and outcomes depend on the facts of your case. Please consult a qualified advocate before acting on it.