Is sharing intimate images without consent illegal in Virginia?

Yes. Virginia criminalizes it under Va. Code § 18.2-386.2 (Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another). AI-generated or altered images: yes. Civil action in the same section: yes. Federally, the TAKE IT DOWN Act also applies, and covered platforms must remove the images within 48 hours of a valid request.

All states · Virginia

Virginia: intimate images shared without consent

Published Sep 29, 2026 · Last reviewed Sep 29, 2026 · by Agent Exchange

Statute: Unlawful dissemination or sale of images of another
Citation: Va. Code § 18.2-386.2
AI-generated or altered ("deepfake") images covered: yes
Civil action for the victim in the same section: yes
Source: law.lis.virginia.gov/vacode/title18.2/chapter4/section18.2-386.2/ (the legislature's text, read Sep 29, 2026)
Notes: Statute applies to images 'created by any means whatsoever' including a person whose image was used in 'creating, adapting, or modifying' a depiction; civil action is Va. Code § 8.01-40.4 (from memory, not fetched).

What applies in every state

TAKE IT DOWN Act (federal, Pub. L. 119-12): knowingly publishing intimate images of an identifiable adult without consent, including AI-generated ones, is a federal crime, and since May 19, 2026 covered platforms must remove such images and known copies within 48 hours of a valid request. Enforced by the FTC. Definition.
Federal civil action (15 U.S.C. § 6851): a person whose intimate image was disclosed without consent can sue in federal court for damages regardless of state law.
Hash blocking: adults can register the image at StopNCII.org; if the person is under 18, NCMEC Take It Down. Neither uploads the image.

Build a 48-hour removal request Platform reporting paths Free; you send it; we track the clock.

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Informational, not legal advice; statutes change and prosecutors and courts interpret them. Check the linked source before relying on it.

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