Digital Services Act (European Union)
Free template to notify EU hosting services of non-consensual intimate images, including deepfakes, under Article 16 of the Digital Services Act
Overview
Use this notice for hosting services offered in the European Union. Article 16 of the Digital Services Act requires hosting services to have a way to receive notices of illegal content and to process them in a timely, diligent, non-arbitrary and objective manner. Whether the material is illegal depends on the law of the Member State concerned; the notice explains why you consider it illegal.
If you are in danger or the images show someone under 18
If you are in immediate danger, contact your local emergency services now. If the images show someone under 18, or were taken before they turned 18, report them to the NCMEC CyberTipline and use Take It Down; Adult Model Protection serves adults only. If you are struggling, in the US call or text 988 (988 Lifeline) or the CCRI Crisis Helpline; in the UK, the Revenge Porn Helpline. All of these are free.
Free to Use
This template is provided free of charge. Adult Model Protection is not a law firm and is not liable for any outcome of its use. For legal advice about your situation, consult a lawyer.
Placeholders
| Placeholder | Description |
|---|---|
{Current Date} | Today's date |
{Name of Website/Platform} | Name of the site that shows the images |
{Abuse/Legal Email} | The site's abuse, trust and safety or legal contact |
{Your Full Name} | Your own name. Platforms may reject a request that is not signed by the person shown or someone authorized to act for them |
{Name Used on the Pages} | The name the pages use for you, if they use one |
{URL 1}, {URL 2} | The exact pages that show the images |
{Your Email Address} | Where the site can reach you |
Lines in [square brackets] are optional: keep the ones that are true for you and delete the others, including the
brackets.
Email Subject Line:
Notice of illegal content: non-consensual intimate images (Digital Services Act, Article 16) - {Name of Website/Platform}Email Body:
{Current Date}
Via Email: {Abuse/Legal Email}
{Name of Website/Platform}
c/o Trust and Safety / Legal
Re: Notice of illegal content: non-consensual intimate images (Digital Services Act, Article 16)
Dear {Name of Website/Platform} team,
This is a request under Article 16 of the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065).
I am the person shown, or made to appear, in the images listed below.
[The pages refer to me as {Name Used on the Pages}.] Please do not publish
or forward this request.
1. LOCATION OF THE MATERIAL
- {URL 1}
- {URL 2}
2. WHY THE MATERIAL MUST BE REMOVED
The material consists of sexually explicit or intimate images that show,
or appear to show, me. [Some or all of them were made or altered with AI
or other technical means to falsely depict me.] I did not consent to
[their creation] [and] [their publication].
I consider this material illegal content. Making and sharing such material
without consent is a criminal offence in many Member States, and Directive
(EU) 2024/1385 requires all Member States to make it one. Publishing it
also uses my personal data without my consent.
3. STATEMENT
I have a good faith belief that the intimate depictions at the locations
above were [made] [and] [published] without my consent. The information in
this request is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
4. CONTACT INFORMATION
{Your Full Name}
{Your Email Address}
5. REQUEST
Please remove the material listed above and any identical copies, and
confirm the removal by replying to this email.
Under Article 16 you must process this notice in a timely, diligent,
non-arbitrary and objective manner and inform me of your decision.
/s/ {Your Full Name}
{Current Date}When the site does not respond: the host
Most sites are hosted by another company with its own abuse contact. Article 16 applies to hosting services, so the host can be addressed under the same Article. Send this version to the host's abuse address, with the host's name in place of the site name in the greeting:
{Current Date}
Via Email: {Abuse/Legal Email}
{Name of Website/Platform}
c/o Trust and Safety / Legal
Re: Notice of illegal content: non-consensual intimate images (Digital Services Act, Article 16)
Dear {Name of Website/Platform} team,
Your customer {Name of Website/Platform} hosts the material listed below
on your service. This is a request under Article 16 of the Digital Services Act (Regulation (EU) 2022/2065).
I am the person shown, or made to appear, in the images listed below.
[The pages refer to me as {Name Used on the Pages}.] Please do not publish
or forward this request.
1. LOCATION OF THE MATERIAL
- {URL 1}
- {URL 2}
2. WHY THE MATERIAL MUST BE REMOVED
The material consists of sexually explicit or intimate images that show,
or appear to show, me. [Some or all of them were made or altered with AI
or other technical means to falsely depict me.] I did not consent to
[their creation] [and] [their publication].
I consider this material illegal content. Making and sharing such material
without consent is a criminal offence in many Member States, and Directive
(EU) 2024/1385 requires all Member States to make it one. Publishing it
also uses my personal data without my consent.
3. STATEMENT
I have a good faith belief that the intimate depictions at the locations
above were [made] [and] [published] without my consent. The information in
this request is accurate and complete to the best of my knowledge.
4. CONTACT INFORMATION
{Your Full Name}
{Your Email Address}
5. REQUEST
Please remove the material listed above and any identical copies, and
confirm the removal by replying to this email.
Under Article 16 you must process this notice in a timely, diligent,
non-arbitrary and objective manner and inform me of your decision.
/s/ {Your Full Name}
{Current Date}Tips
- List every page separately. Never send the images themselves.
- Keep a record of the date you sent each request, the recipient and any reference number.
- If nothing happens, use the follow-up template.
Next Steps
Follow-Up
When the material is still online
Search engine forms
Remove the pages from Google, Bing and Yandex results
Disclaimer
This template is provided for information only and is not legal advice. Adult Model Protection is not a law firm and is not liable for any outcome of its use. For legal advice about your situation, consult a lawyer.