California has some of the strongest protections in the country for people whose intimate images are shared without consent, and some of the earliest rules on sexually explicit deepfakes. Here is what the state’s law covers, in plain language.
Criminal law in California
California Penal Code section 647(j)(4) makes it a crime to intentionally distribute the image of the intimate body parts of another identifiable person, or of a person engaged in a sexual act, when both agreed or understood the image was to stay private and the sharer intends to cause serious emotional distress. Penalties include jail time and fines, and repeat offences are treated more seriously.
Civil claims you can bring
Civil Code section 1708.85 lets a person depicted in an intimate image that was shared without consent sue for damages, including emotional distress and, in some cases, punitive damages and attorney’s fees. Because it is a civil claim, the victim, not a prosecutor, decides whether to bring it.
Deepfakes and AI-generated images
Civil Code section 1708.86, enacted in 2019, gives people a civil claim over sexually explicit digitally altered or synthetic material that uses their likeness without consent. California has since kept adding to its deepfake rules, so it is worth asking what applies to your situation now.
Your California privacy rights
California’s privacy law gives residents rights over personal information that businesses hold about them, including a right to ask for deletion. That matters for data brokers and people-search sites that republish personal details alongside harmful content.
Federal law and the wider picture
California residents are also covered by the federal Take It Down Act and the federal civil claim for intimate images. Our U.S. overview explains how the federal rules work, and our Illinois guide shows how another state compares.
Working in high-visibility industries
Entertainment, technology, healthcare and startups put many Californians in front of constant search scrutiny. A single intimate image or deepfake can follow someone through hiring, funding and licensing decisions, which is why acting early and carefully matters.
Where to get support
You can report criminal conduct to your local police or sheriff’s office, and the California Attorney General’s office publishes resources on online privacy and abuse. A California attorney can advise on civil claims. This is general information, not legal advice, and laws change.
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