Removing Non-Consensual Intimate Imagery (NCII) — Saudi Arabia
Sourced from Saudi royal decrees, regulations, and ministerial decisions. Written in plain language for general understanding — this is educational content, not legal advice. Our editorial standards
What is this right?
NCII — non-consensual intimate imagery — in Saudi Arabia runs on three parallel paths. The criminal path is the Public Security Department + Public Prosecution under the Anti-Cyber Crime Law 2007 Articles 3, 4, 6 (defamation / harm via IT devices; unauthorised access + blackmail; offences against privacy / morality via electronic means) and the Anti-Harassment Law 2018. File via Absher Cybercrime Report or the Kolonna Amn app. Maximum: 5 years' imprisonment and SAR 3,000,000 fine for blackmail-bearing offences (Article 4); 1 year and SAR 500,000 for defamation-bearing offences (Article 3).
The technical takedown path runs through StopNCII.org — generates a cryptographic hash on your device and shares the hash with participating platforms (Meta / Facebook / Instagram, TikTok, Reddit, Bumble, OnlyFans, and others) so they can detect and remove uploads of the same image. The actual file never leaves your device. The service requires you were 18 or older at the time the image was taken. For minors, use takeitdown.ncmec.org from NCMEC. Both are free.
When does it apply?
- Intimate images or videos of you (taken consensually or not) are being shared online without your permission.
- Someone is threatening to share intimate imagery unless you pay — sextortion. Treat as Article 4 (blackmail / coercion) plus Anti-Harassment Law.
- Deepfake / AI-generated sexual content depicts you. Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3, 4, 6 attach — the prohibition is on use of electronic means, not the synthetic-vs-real distinction.
- The depicted person is a minor (under 18) — escalate to Anti-Cyber Crime Law + child-specific protections + NCMEC takeitdown (not StopNCII).
- Intimate content has been uploaded to a platform that participates in the StopNCII hash list (Meta, TikTok, Reddit, Bumble, OnlyFans, and others).
Removing NCII Through Public Security, StopNCII, and NCMEC
- If you are 18+ and the image is of you, hash it via StopNCII.org now. Go to stopncii.org, select the file (hash is generated on your device, the file never uploads), confirm eligibility (you are currently 18+ AND were 18+ at the time the image was taken), and submit. Participating platforms then detect and remove uploads.
- If the depicted person is under 18, use NCMEC takeitdown. takeitdown.ncmec.org. Same on-device hashing model.
- File the criminal complaint via Absher Cybercrime Report or Kolonna Amn app. Cite Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3, 4, 6 and the Anti-Harassment Law 2018 if there is a sexual-harassment dimension. Attach evidence (screenshots showing URL and timestamp, copies of threats, transaction details if a payment was demanded).
- For content hosted on KSA-licensed platforms or accessible from KSA, CST (Communications, Space and Technology Commission) has operational power to direct telecom operators and platforms to block content. The cybercrime complaint typically triggers CST action via Public Prosecution.
- Preserve evidence before reporting. Screenshots showing URL, username, date, content; full email headers; SMS for any payment demand. Save to cloud immediately — phones can be seized as part of the investigation.
- If there is a payment demand (sextortion), do not pay. The demand returns. Public Security, StopNCII, NCMEC, and CST are all free. Payment also creates a transaction record that can be used as further leverage.
What should you NOT do?
- Don't pay the extortionist. The demand returns. All meaningful KSA routes are free.
- Don't screenshot then delete the original from the platform. The investigation needs the URL still active where possible — a screenshot loses metadata. Save the URL alongside the screenshot.
- Don't post the screenshots publicly on Saudi social media before the complaint is filed. The Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3 and 6 can attach to public commentary that names individuals; route through the official channel first.
- Don't assume StopNCII works for under-18 content. StopNCII is for adult NCII. For content depicting a minor, NCMEC takeitdown is the correct path.
- Don't pay 'image-removal services' charging upfront fees. StopNCII, NCMEC, the Public Security report, and SAMA escalation are all free.
Common Questions
How does StopNCII actually work?
StopNCII generates a cryptographic hash — a 'digital fingerprint' — of your image or video on your own device. The file never leaves your device. The hash is shared with participating platforms (Meta, TikTok, Reddit, Bumble, OnlyFans, and others) so they can detect and remove uploads of the same image. You must have been 18 or older at the time the image was taken, and currently be 18+. Operated by SWGfL.
Does StopNCII work in Saudi Arabia?
StopNCII does not impose a geographic restriction — it is operated globally by SWGfL. KSA users have used the service. The participating platforms act on the hash; for content hosted off the participating-platforms list, the legal route (Public Security + Public Prosecution under Anti-Cyber Crime Law) is the way to go.
What about deepfake sexual content?
Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3, 4, and 6 cover deepfake sexual content — the prohibition is on the use of electronic means causing reputational damage, blackmail, or breach of privacy / morality. The synthetic-vs-real distinction is not the legal bar. StopNCII also works on synthetic images of you that you have access to.
What is the maximum penalty for NCII offences?
Under the Anti-Cyber Crime Law: up to 5 years' imprisonment and a fine up to SAR 3,000,000 for unauthorised access + blackmail / coercion (Article 4); up to 1 year and SAR 500,000 for defamation / IT-device harm (Article 3); offences against public morality / privacy via electronic means (Article 6) carry their own penalties. Anti-Harassment Law 2018 attaches additional liability for sexual-harassment dimensions.
When does it apply — removing non-consensual intimate imagery (ncii)?
Intimate images or videos of you (taken consensually or not) are being shared online without your permission.Someone is threatening to share intimate imagery unless you pay — sextortion. Treat as Article 4 (blackmail / coercion) plus Anti-Harassment Law.Deepfake / AI-generated sexual content depicts you. Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3, 4, 6 attach — the prohibition is on use of electronic means, not the synthetic-vs-real distinction.The depicted person is a minor (under 18) — escalate to Anti-Cyber Crime Law + child-specific protections + NCMEC takeitdown (not StopNCII).Intimate content has b...
How do I remove non-consensual intimate imagery from social media in Saudi Arabia?
If you are 18+ and the image is of you, hash it via StopNCII.org now. Go to stopncii.org, select the file (hash is generated on your device, the file never uploads), confirm eligibility (you are currently 18+ AND were 18+ at the time the image was taken), and submit. Participating platforms then detect and remove uploads.If the depicted person is under 18, use NCMEC takeitdown. takeitdown.ncmec.org. Same on-device hashing model.File the criminal complaint via Absher Cybercrime Report or Kolonna Amn app. Cite Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3, 4, 6 and the Anti-Harassment Law 2018 if there is a s...
What should you NOT do — removing non-consensual intimate imagery (ncii)?
Don't pay the extortionist. The demand returns. All meaningful KSA routes are free.Don't screenshot then delete the original from the platform. The investigation needs the URL still active where possible — a screenshot loses metadata. Save the URL alongside the screenshot.Don't post the screenshots publicly on Saudi social media before the complaint is filed. The Anti-Cyber Crime Law Articles 3 and 6 can attach to public commentary that names individuals; route through the official channel first.Don't assume StopNCII works for under-18 content. StopNCII is for adult NCII. For content depicting...