The internet has made it easier than ever to communicate, share photos and videos, and connect with people around the world. Unfortunately, it has also created new forms of online abuse.
One serious problem is the non-consensual sharing of intimate images, sometimes referred to as “revenge porn.”
This happens when someone’s intimate photo or video is shared online without their permission. In some cases, people may also be threatened with the release of private images as a form of blackmail or intimidation.
Fortunately, there are tools designed to help.
One of them is StopNCII.org, a free service designed to help adults protect themselves against the non-consensual sharing of intimate images online.
What Is StopNCII.org?
StopNCII.org is a free online tool designed to help adults whose intimate images or videos may be shared online without their consent.
The service uses technology called hashing to create a unique digital fingerprint of an image or video.
The important thing to understand is that your original image does not leave your device when you create a case. Instead, the tool generates a digital fingerprint, known as a hash, and shares that hash with participating technology platforms.
The participating platforms can then use the hash to identify matching content and take action when it violates their policies.
What Is Image Hashing?
Image hashing may sound complicated, but the basic idea is quite simple.
Think of a hash as a digital fingerprint for an image.
When you submit an eligible image to StopNCII.org, the system analyses the image on your device and generates a unique digital fingerprint.
The actual image is not uploaded to StopNCII.org.
If someone later attempts to upload a matching image to a participating platform, that platform can compare the image against the digital fingerprint and potentially take action according to its policies.
This technology allows the system to help protect people while avoiding the need to upload their original intimate images to the service.
How Does StopNCII.org Work?
The process is relatively straightforward.
Step 1: Select Your Image or Video
You select the eligible intimate image or video from your device.
The image must meet StopNCII.org’s eligibility requirements.
Step 2: The Digital Fingerprint Is Created
StopNCII.org creates a hash, or digital fingerprint, of the selected content directly on your device.
The original image or video remains on your device.
Step 3: Create Your Case
After successfully creating your case, you receive a case number and password/PIN that can be used to check the status of your case.
It is extremely important to keep these details safe because they cannot be recovered if lost.
Step 4: Participating Platforms Look for Matches
The hash can be shared with participating companies.
These companies can compare hashes against content uploaded to their platforms. If matching content violates their policies, they can take appropriate action, including removal.
Step 5: Monitoring Continues
StopNCII.org says participating platforms can continue looking for matches, providing an additional layer of protection against future attempts to share the same content.
Who Can Use StopNCII.org?
StopNCII.org is specifically designed for adults.
According to the official eligibility requirements, you generally need to:
