Revenge Porn Laws in Texas: Reporting and Removal Options

What Texas law says

Texas Penal Code §21.16 addresses unlawful disclosure or promotion of intimate visual material. The current text classifies an offense under that section as a state jail felony; it should not be described as the older Class A misdemeanor. The section has specific elements and exceptions, so a short label alone cannot establish whether a case qualifies.

Read the official Texas source. Laws, applicable defenses, and available remedies depend on the facts. This article is general information, not a legal assessment of your case; IntimaShield is not a law firm.

What information can help

Keep messages relevant to consent, privacy expectations, threats, and identification of the depicted person. These facts can matter independently of whether the person who shared the material was a former partner.

Keep the known URLs, account identifiers, dates, and threatening communications somewhere private. You do not need to confront the uploader or publish the evidence. If anyone in sexual imagery was under 18, avoid downloading, forwarding, or screenshotting it and use the specialist resources below.

Contact local law enforcement to report threats or suspected offences, and ask for a report number. Police and prosecutors decide whether charges are appropriate. A local lawyer can assess civil remedies, protective orders, deadlines, and whether an investigation is needed. A platform report does not identify an anonymous uploader or start a criminal case.

If you face an immediate threat, prioritize your safety and local emergency support. You can also find confidential support through the Cyber Civil Rights Initiative.

Removing online copies is a separate task

Removal requests can run while you seek legal advice. A police report does not automatically delete a page, and a removal request does not replace criminal reporting. The FTC's TAKE IT DOWN Act guidance explains the requirements for covered platforms and valid qualifying requests.

Google and Bing can remove intimate images shared without consent from their search results, and we file those requests for the links in your case. Removal from search hides a page; it does not delete it, so keep the two outcomes distinct. See how removal works and the state-law directory for related resources.

Choose your next step

Already have links? Review my removal scope. Emergency Takedown is a one-time fee based on unique domains: $499 for 1–5, $799 for 6–15, $1,299 for 16–30, and $1,999 for 31+. You see the scope and price before paying. We handle authorized requests and document the work on agreed links; no universal removal outcome is promised.

Need links first? Use the free text-only scan with your own names or handles and consent. It does not use facial recognition, access private accounts, or establish that every copy has been found. Shield monitoring is a separate $29/month service with twice-weekly searches.

If you were under 18 when the content was created, use NCMEC Take It Down or the CyberTipline. Do not download or forward sexual imagery involving a minor to make a report.