Revenge Porn Laws in Utah: What Victims Need to Know in 2026
What Utah Law Says
Utah addresses revenge porn under Utah Code Annotated Section 76-5b-203, titled "Distribution of intimate images." A first offense is classified as a Class A misdemeanor, while subsequent offenses and aggravated cases are third-degree felonies.
A Class A misdemeanor in Utah carries penalties of up to 364 days in jail and a fine of up to $2,500. A third-degree felony carries up to 5 years in prison and fines up to $5,000. Aggravating factors that elevate the charge include distribution for profit, distribution of images of a minor, and prior convictions. Utah provides a tiered approach to NCII penalties.
Review the statute at the Utah Legislature website.
What Counts as Revenge Porn in Utah
Utah's statute defines the offense through these elements. The content must be an intimate image depicting nudity or sexual conduct. The image was obtained under circumstances where the depicted person had a reasonable expectation of privacy. The offender intentionally or knowingly distributed the image. The distribution was without the consent of the depicted person.
Utah's law does not require proof of intent to harm, which simplifies prosecution. The law covers all distribution methods, including social media platforms like Reddit and Instagram, websites, messaging services, and email.
How to Report
Utah victims should follow these steps:
- Document all evidence — Screenshot images, save URLs, record account information, and preserve all communications.
- File a police report — Contact your local police department, county sheriff, or the Utah Department of Public Safety. Reference UCA 76-5b-203.
- Contact the county attorney or district attorney — Depending on the county, contact the appropriate prosecutorial office.
- Report to the FBI — File with the FBI IC3 for internet-based distribution.
- Seek a protective order — Utah courts can issue stalking injunctions and protective orders addressing harassment.
Limitations of Criminal Law
Utah's misdemeanor classification for first offenses limits the initial deterrent effect. The criminal process takes time, and images remain online throughout. Utah's law enforcement resources for digital crime investigation vary across urban and rural areas.
A conviction does not trigger automatic content removal from platforms. Identifying anonymous offenders and addressing cross-jurisdictional distribution remain significant challenges. However, Utah's escalating penalty structure provides stronger consequences for repeat offenders.
Removing the Content
Content removal must be pursued immediately.
The TAKE IT DOWN Act requires platforms to remove NCII within 48 hours of a valid request.
StopNCII.org enables victims to create hashes that participating platforms use to block intimate images.
IntimaShield offers professional NCII removal services handling multi-platform takedowns, search engine de-indexing, and ongoing monitoring.
See also: Colorado's revenge porn law for a neighboring Mountain West comparison.
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