Under 18 in Spain: if an intimate image of you is shared
If you are under 18 and intimate or violent photos, videos or audio of you are posted without your permission, it is not your fault and help exists. In Spain, the data protection authority (AEPD) has a special form for minors to ask for them to be removed.
Important : If someone threatens you or asks for more photos, do not send anything else: keep the messages and tell a trusted adult and the police right away.
Who it is for
Young people aged 14 to 17 who are Spanish or in Spain, when sexual or violent content is posted online without permission, whether it shows them or someone else. For under-14s, the AEPD asks that a parent or guardian make the request.
Time frame
The AEPD treats this channel as an urgent route but does not publish a fixed response time.
Cost
Free.
Legal basis
In Spain, Article 197.7 of the Criminal Code punishes sharing intimate images without authorisation, with a heavier penalty when the victim is a minor. Article 52 of Organic Law 8/2021 (LOPIVI) requires the AEPD to provide an accessible and secure channel for reporting illegal online content.
The steps
- Talk as soon as you can to a trusted adult (parent, guardian, teacher or the support person at your school). You do not have to deal with this alone.
- Do not forward the image or show it to anyone, not even to ask for help or to prove something. Just note where it is posted (the web address or the profile).
- Use the AEPD’s Priority Channel for minors (ages 14–17): you only need to say where the content is posted and give an email address for the reply; no digital certificate is needed.
- Tell the police (Policía Nacional, Guardia Civil or regional police), ideally together with a trusted adult. If you are in danger, call 112.
- If you have questions, you can write to the AEPD’s Canal Joven (canaljoven@aepd.es or WhatsApp 616 172 204) or call 017, INCIBE’s free and confidential helpline.
- If the image was taken when you were under 18 and it is on your device, the Take It Down service (NCMEC) can help slow its spread on some platforms, without sending the image.
What to prepare
- Where it is posted: the web address (URL), or the name of the social network and profile
- An email address where you can get a reply
- If you want: your name, your ID card (DNI) number and a phone number (not required)
- You do not need to attach the image: the most important thing is where it is posted
Official links
- Priority Channel form for ages 14–17 (AEPD, in Spanish)
- AEPD Canal Joven: contact and help (in Spanish)
- 017: INCIBE’s free and confidential helpline (in Spanish)
- Take It Down (NCMEC), Spanish version
The limits you should know
- If you are under 14, your parent or guardian has to contact the AEPD for you.
- The AEPD cannot help through this channel if the images only circulate via WhatsApp, Telegram or other private messages: in that case, tell the police.
- This channel is for people who are Spanish or in Spain.
- Removal from one site does not delete copies posted elsewhere.
This information helps you use your rights. It doesn’t replace advice from a lawyer.