Preventing the spread of explicit photos of children is crucial, and the realization that your naked photos are on the internet is frightening. However, there is hope for these photos to be removed as soon as possible thanks to the “Take It Down” platform created and launched by the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC).

What is “Take It Down”?

“Take It Down” is a free online service that helps users remove their nude, semi-nude, or other explicit photos from the internet and stop their distribution. It’s crucial to emphasize that this platform allows users to remain anonymous while using the service, meaning users won’t have to send their photos or videos to anyone for them to be removed. “Take It Down” works in collaboration with other public, online platforms that have agreed to participate in this initiative.

Who is this platform for?

The platform is intended for those who have photos or videos in which they are naked, partially naked, or in sexually explicit situations, taken when they were under 18 years old, and which they believe are or will be shared on the internet.

For example, a user who sent a nude photo to a partner who is threatening to publish it, or for situations when you discover someone has come across your explicit photo on a website.

If you are over 18 years old, there’s a solution for you too. You can get help at stopncii.org.

How does “Take It Down” work?

“Take It Down” operates by assigning a unique digital fingerprint, known as a hash value, to nude, semi-nude, or sexually explicit photos or videos depicting individuals under 18 years old. Online platforms can then use these hash values to detect these photos or videos on their platforms, remove them from the network, and thus stop their distribution. Therefore, if you decide to use this service, your photos or videos will not be delivered to the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children; only their hash value in the form of a specific code will be.

Is there another way to remove my naked photos from the internet?

Yes. You can report photos and videos directly to the platforms where you found the photo, like Instagram, Facebook, or Snapchat. It is their duty to provide a secure way to remove the photo. At the following link, you’ll find a list of the most popular social networks, resources, and tools that can help you remove explicit content from the internet.

Link: https://www.missingkids.org/gethelpnow/isyourexplicitcontentoutthere#othersites