What is the image deletion service?

For non-consensually taken images, faked images, and non-consensually distributed images in accordance with Articles 14 and 14-2 of the Sexual Violence Punishment Act and the images of child/adolescent sexual abuse in accordance with the Youth Protection Act that have been distributed or are believed to have been distributed online, we take measures to stop the spread of the images.
In order to minimize the scale of victimization, we conduct continued monitoring of (re)distribution, request relevant platform/website operators to delete images, and check if all the relevant images of a client have been deleted.

01

There are photos/videos that I want to have deleted. Do you provide the deletion service for those images?

  • The center provides the deletion service for intimate images taken and/or faked and distributed without the consent of the person depicted in the images.
  • We may not provide the deletion service for non-sexual images that were taken/created and distributed through legal means.
    삭제지원 대상 피해촬영물 종류 및 예시 테이블
    Images eligible for the image deletion service Example

    ① Images of child sexual abuse

    Images of a child participating in a sexual intercourse or a sexual conduct (e.g. masturbation), or exposing a part or all of his/her body

    *Depending on the production method, images can be categorized into non-consensually taken images, faked images, and non-consensually distributed images.

    An image of the (intimate) body part of a child obtained from the child

    ② Non-consensually taken images

    Images of a person’s body taken by using a camera or a similar device against the will of the person depicted in the image in a way that may cause sexual desire or shame

    Images of a sexual intercourse taken without the consent of the sex partner
    Images of a person engaging in masturbation recorded or captured without the consent of the person

    ③ Faked images

    Photos, videos, or sounds (“images”) that were edited, synthesized, and/or processed, against the will of the person depicted in them, in a way that may cause sexual desire or shame for the purpose of distribution, sale, rental, provision, display, and/or screening (“distribution”)

    Pornographic images combined with the face of a victim
    Images of the face of a victim with vulgar and sexually humiliating words on them

    ④ Non-consensually distributed images

    Non-consensually taken images, faked images, or their copies

    Images that were taken, edited, processed, or copied with the consent of the person depicted in the images (including those who took the images of their body parts themselves) and later distributed without the consent of the person

    Non-consensually taken images, faked images, or their copies distributed online for commercial purposes against the will of the person depicted in the images

    Images of the body parts of anonymous individuals taken in a public place (e.g. images of upskirting)
    An intimate image that was consensually taken but distributed without the knowledge of the person depicted in the image
    Images of sexual organs taken by the victim himself/herself and distributed against their will
    An indecent body image of a stranger combined with the face of a victim and distributed online
  • For anyone who is found to have been involved in an illegal activity related to the images she/he has requested for the deletion service or anyone who continues to produce and distribute illegal images after having requested for the deletion service, the center may discontinue its services to the person even if her/his images are qualified for the deletion service.

For minor victims, however, we make wider considerations including signs of victimization before discontinuing the service. For more details, please use the phone counseling service.

02

What is the difference between the image deletion service and the distribution monitoring service?

  • Distribution monitoring is part of the image deletion service. We monitor online spaces to discover URLs that have images eligible for deletion.
  • When specific URLs are not found but distribution is suspected, we use keyword search and the center’s monitoring system to check the status of distribution.
  • We can monitor the status of distribution only when relevant photos and/or videos are available.
모니터링 이후 삭제지원 이미지(아래 설명)

Image deletion service

  1. Monitoring the status of distribution
    When distribution is suspected, the center checks if the concerned image is distributed or not
  2. Images are found to have been distributed
  3. The image deletion service begins.

03

Image deletion service workflow

  • If images are confirmed to have been distributed, the image deletion service begins.
  • If not confirmed but suspected, we monitor online spaces and delete if they are found.
  • All information distributed to harm the victim, including images, thumbnails, and keywords, are subject to deletion.
  • We request relevant platform providers to delete concerned images. If the request is not accepted by the platform, we request the Korea Communications Standards Commission (KCSC) to block concerned URLs.
모니터링 이후 삭제지원 이미지(아래 설명)

Victimization

f not distributed yet

Monitoring the status of distribution

If distributed
  • 1. Search the image(s)
    the scale of distribution / Establish a support strategy for the victim
  • 2. Emergency deletion support
    2-1. Request each concerned platform to delete the image(s)
    Website(s)
    2-2. Request the KCSC to block concerned URLs
    KCSC
    2-3. Work with the police to collect evidence materials
    Police
  • 3. Monitoring of redistribution
    Conducted on a regular basis after the emergency deletion support
  • 4. Outcomes report
    Published for each victim on the results of the image deletion service

For which platforms do you provide the deletion service?

The center provides the image deletion service by identifying the characteristics of the website on which the images are posted. It is because the distribution pattern and support method are different for each platform.

The platforms for which the center currently provides the deletion service include adult sites, social media sites, P2P, WebHard, search engines, archives, online community sites, streaming sites, and cloud services.

삭제지원 플랫폼 이미지 (아래 설명)

Platforms for the image deletion service

  • Adult sites

  • Social media sites

    tumblr

    twitter

    facebook

    instagram

  • P2P

  • WebHard

  • Search engines

    google

    naver

    daum

  • Other

    Archives

    Online community

    Streaming sites

  • Cloud services

How do I request the image deletion service?

Your first need to talk to one of our counselors and see if your case is eligible for the service.
If you are a minor, you can request the service without the consent of your parent/guardian.
Once your request is accepted, you can check the status of your request, submission of requested materials, and outcomes reports on the online counseling board either on a PC or a mobile device.

삭제지원 접수 안내 (아래 설명)

1. Case intake

1-1 By phone접수

02-735-8994

1-2 By using the online counseling form
https://d4u.stop.or.kr

2. Talking with a counselor

  • Checking if the case is eligible for the image deletion service

3. Submitting a request for the image deletion service

3-1 On the online board
  • Submitting the request form
  • Submitting evidence materials (images used in the offense)
  • Checking outcomes reports