What to do if…
someone has reposted your photos with your location without your consent

What to do now

1. Get to a safer pause. If the repost reveals where you are right now, or you fear someone could show up, move to a public place or be with trusted people. Tell one trusted person what is happening and where you are.
2. Stop live location exposure.
   • Turn off live location sharing in messaging, map, family-tracking, and device-finding apps.
   • Turn off map-style sharing in social apps.
   • Pause new stories, check-ins, and location-tagged posts until you have checked settings.
3. Preserve evidence before reporting or removing anything.
   • Screenshot the reposts showing the account name, date or time, location tag, caption, and any threats or identifying details.
   • Copy the post links and profile links into a note.
   • If posts may disappear, record your screen while you show the post, the account, and the location detail.
4. Make a short incident log. Write down the date and time you noticed it, the platform, the account name, what location was revealed, whether it was home, work, school, a venue, or your current location, and any messages or threats.
5. Report the post and account to the platform.
   • Report the specific post as doxing, harassment, sharing personal information, stalking, or non-consensual sharing, depending on the platform’s choices.
   • In the free-text box, say the post shares your location without consent and you are concerned for safety.
6. Limit who can keep spreading it.
   • Change the audience on recent posts that show your home, workplace, school, routine, street signs, license plates, badges, or distinctive landmarks.
   • Turn off photo location tagging for new pictures.
   • Review tagging, mention, share, duet, stitch, remix, and message settings on the affected platforms.
7. Lock down accounts that could be involved.
   • Change the password for your email first, then your social and photo accounts.
   • Turn on multi-factor authentication.
   • Sign out of other sessions or devices you do not recognize.
8. Reduce real-world risk for the next day.
   • If your home, work, or school is identified, consider staying with someone else, changing your route or timing, and having someone accompany you.
   • Ask your workplace, school, building desk, or venue staff not to confirm your schedule, location, or contact details to anyone.
9. Contact law enforcement if you feel unsafe, threatened, or targeted.
   • Call 911 if someone is nearby, you believe there is an immediate threat, or you are afraid to go home.
   • If it is not an emergency, contact your local police department’s non-emergency line and ask how to make a report. Share your screenshots, links, and short log.
10. Consider an IC3 report if this is cyber-enabled harassment or account compromise. IC3 accepts reports about cyber-enabled crime, and you can file even if you are unsure whether it qualifies.
11. Use confidential victim support if you need help deciding next steps. VictimConnect can help with support and referrals by phone or text at 855-4-VICTIM (855-484-2846) or by online chat.
12. If you are under 18, involve a safe adult now. Tell a parent, guardian, school staff member, or another trusted adult so you are not handling the exposure alone.