U.S. Code » Title 15 » Chapter CHAPTER 94A— VISUAL DEPICTION PRIVACY

15 U.S.C. § 6851

Civil action relating to disclosure of intimate images

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(a) DefinitionsIn this section:(1) Commercial pornographic content

The term “commercial pornographic content” means any material that is subject to the record keeping requirements under section 2257 of title 18.

(2) Consent

The term “consent” means an affirmative, conscious, and voluntary authorization made by the individual free from force, fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion.

(3) Depicted individual

The term “depicted individual” means an individual whose body appears in whole or in part in an intimate visual depiction and who is identifiable by virtue of the person’s face, likeness, or other distinguishing characteristic, such as a unique birthmark or other recognizable feature, or from information displayed in connection with the visual depiction.

(4) Disclose

The term “disclose” means to transfer, publish, distribute, or make accessible.

(5) Intimate visual depictionThe term “intimate visual depiction”—(A) means a visual depiction, as that term is defined in section 2256(5) of title 18, that depicts—(i) the uncovered genitals, pubic area, anus, or post-pubescent female nipple of an identifiable individual; or(ii) the display or transfer of bodily sexual fluids—(I) on to any part of the body of an identifiable individual;(II) from the body of an identifiable individual; or(III) an identifiable individual engaging in sexually explicit conduct and 11 So in original.(B) includes any visual depictions described in subparagraph (A) produced while the identifiable individual was in a public place only if the individual did not—(i) voluntarily display the content depicted; or(ii) consent to the sexual conduct depicted.(6) Sexually explicit conduct

The term “sexually explicit conduct” has the meaning given the term in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of section 2256(2) of title 18.

(b) Civil action(1) Right of action(A) In general

Except as provided in paragraph (4), an individual whose intimate visual depiction is disclosed, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or using any means or facility of interstate or foreign commerce, without the consent of the individual, where such disclosure was made by a person who knows that, or recklessly disregards whether, the individual has not consented to such disclosure, may bring a civil action against that person in an appropriate district court of the United States for relief as set forth in paragraph (3).

(B) Rights on behalf of certain individuals

In the case of an individual who is under 18 years of age, incompetent, incapacitated, or deceased, the legal guardian of the individual or representative of the identifiable individual’s estate, another family member, or any other person appointed as suitable by the court, may assume the identifiable individual’s’ 1 rights under this section, but in no event shall the defendant be named as such representative or guardian.

(2) ConsentFor purposes of an action under paragraph (1)—(A) the fact that the individual consented to the creation of the depiction shall not establish that the person consented to its distribution; and(B) the fact that the individual disclosed the intimate visual depiction to someone else shall not establish that the person consented to the further disclosure of the intimate visual depiction by the person alleged to have violated paragraph (1).(3) Relief(A) In generalIn a civil action filed under this section—(i) an individual may recover the actual damages sustained by the individual or liquidated damages in the amount of $150,000, and the cost of the action, including reasonable attorney’s fees and other litigation costs reasonably incurred; and(ii) the court may, in addition to any other relief available at law, order equitable relief, including a temporary restraining order, a preliminary injunction, or a permanent injunction ordering the defendant to cease display or disclosure of the visual depiction.(B) Preservation of anonymity

In ordering relief under subparagraph (A), the court may grant injunctive relief maintaining the confidentiality of a plaintiff using a pseudonym.

(4) ExceptionsAn identifiable individual may not bring an action for relief under this section relating to—(A) an intimate image that is commercial pornographic content, unless that content was produced by force, fraud, misrepresentation, or coercion of the depicted individual;(B) a disclosure made in good faith—(i) to a law enforcement officer or agency;(ii) as part of a legal proceeding;(iii) as part of medical education, diagnosis, or treatment; or(iv) in the reporting or investigation of—(I) unlawful content; or(II) unsolicited or unwelcome conduct;(C) a matter of public concern or public interest; or(D) a disclosure reasonably intended to assist the identifiable individual.(Pub. L. 117–103, div. W, title XIII, § 1309, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 929.)Statutory Notes and Related SubsidiariesEffective Date

Pub. L. 117–103, div. W, § 4, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 846, provided that:“(a)In General.—Except as provided in subsection (b), this Act [div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, see Tables for classification] and the amendments made by this Act shall not take effect until October 1 of the first fiscal year beginning after the date of enactment of this Act [Mar. 15, 2022].“(b)Effective on Date of Enactment.—Sections 106, 107, 304, 606, 803, and 1306 [amending section 2265 of Title 18, Crimes and Criminal Procedure, section 1302a of Title 25, Indians, and section 21308 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement] and any amendments made by such sections shall take effect on the date of enactment of this Act.”

Severability

Pub. L. 117–103, div. W, § 6, Mar. 15, 2022, 136 Stat. 846, provided that: “If any provision of this Act [div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, see Tables for classification], an amendment made by this Act, or the application of such provision or amendment to any person or circumstance is held to be unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act and the amendments made by this Act, and the application of the provisions or amendment to any other person or circumstance, shall not be affected.”

Definitions

For definitions of terms used in this section, see section 12291 of Title 34, Crime Control and Law Enforcement, as made applicable by section 2(b) of div. W of Pub. L. 117–103, which is set out as a note under section 12291 of Title 34.

Notes of Decisions
Cited in 48 cases (48 in the last 5 years), 2022–2026 · leading case: Aaron v. Ferrell(CONSENT) (M.D. Ala. 2025).
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Aaron v. Ferrell(CONSENT) (M.D. Ala. 2025). · cites it 16× “The undersigned held a bench trial on April 29, 2025 (see Doc. 65) and hereby makes formal findings of fact and conclusions of law.”
K.I. v. Tyagi (D. Maryland 2024). · cites it 12× “The Complaint alleged thirty-six causes of action based on 15 U.S.C. § 6851 , New York Civil Rights Law § 52-b, New York City Administrative Code § 10-180, intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”), tortious interference with business relations, and tortious…”
S.S. v. Collins (D.N.J. 2024). · cites it 11× “The Court defers judgment on damages and will schedule a hearing to address the specific relief Plaintiff seeks under 15 U.S.C. § 6851 and N.J.S.A. 2A:58D-1, I.”
Goodnight v. Hammons (W.D. Okla. 2025). · cites it 10× “]” She brings the following five claims: (1) violation of 15 U.S.C. § 6851 for disclosure of intimate images; (2) violation of Okla Stat.”
Doe v. Constant (W.D. La. 2024). · cites it 9× “Accordingly, Plaintiff brings claims for unauthorized disclosure of intimate images under the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act (VAWRA), 15 U.S.C. § 6851 , and state tort claims.”
Doe v. Unknown Party (D. Ariz. 2024). · cites it 7× “Success on the Merits 20 Plaintiffs bring claims under 15 U.S.C. § 6851 , which provides that, 21 an individual whose intimate visual depiction is disclosed, in or affecting interstate or foreign commerce or using any means 22 or facility of interstate or foreign commerce,…”
Doe v. Sultan (W.D.N.C. 2023). · cites it 6× “” 15 U.S.C. § 6851 (a). “Sexually explicit conduct” includes a range of sexual activities between individuals, including “graphic sexual intercourse, such as genital-genital, [and] oral-genital,” graphic or simulated lascivious masturbation, or “graphic or simulated lascivious…”
Doe v. Alame (N.D. Tex. 2025). · cites it 6× “Doe alleges that Alame disseminated sexually explicit images and videos of her without her consent, in violation of 15 U.S.C. § 6851 , Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code § 98B.”
Doe v. McCoy (N.D. Ga. 2024). · cites it 5× “See 15 U.S.C. § 6851 . A plaintiff may recover actual damages arising from the unauthorized disclosure or liquidated damages in the amount of $150,000 (in addition to costs and attorney’s fees).”
Ballou v. Wells (N.D. Okla. 2024). · cites it 5× “Ballou asserts the following causes of action: (1) violation of 15 U.S.C. § 6851 , Civil Action Relating to Disclosure of Intimate Images (CARDII); (2) copyright infringement; and (3) a state law claim for invasion of privacy.”
Doe v. Spencer (M.D. Tenn. 2023). · cites it 5× “Plaintiff alleges that Defendant’s distribution of intimate visual depictions of Plaintiff without Plaintiff’s consent violates Section 1309 of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2022, 15 U.S.C. § 6851 (Counts I-X), and he also brings state law tort claims for…”
Doe v. T-Mobile USA Inc (E.D. Wash. 2024). · cites it 4× “7 Plaintiff is asserting twelve causes of action: two federal causes of action: 8 (1) a claim under 15 U.S.C. § 6851 - the 2022 Reauthorization of Violence Against 9 Women Act (“VAWA”); and (2) a claim under 18 U.”
Show all 48 citing cases →
— 15 U.S.C. § 6851(3)(A) — 1 case
K.I. v. Tyagi (D. Maryland 2024). “The Complaint alleged thirty-six causes of action based on 15 U.S.C. § 6851 , New York Civil Rights Law § 52-b, New York City Administrative Code § 10-180, intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”), tortious interference with business relations, and tortious…”
— 15 U.S.C. § 6851(a)(2) — 1 case
K.I. v. Tyagi (D. Maryland 2024). “The Complaint alleged thirty-six causes of action based on 15 U.S.C. § 6851 , New York Civil Rights Law § 52-b, New York City Administrative Code § 10-180, intentional infliction of emotional distress (“IIED”), tortious interference with business relations, and tortious…”
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