Protect My Face

Resources

A concise overview of your legal rights when your face or likeness is used without permission, plus the most common paths people take to respond.

Legal paths and laws (U.S.)

These are common legal paths used in unauthorized likeness cases. Laws vary by state and situation, so consider legal counsel for your specific facts.

  • TAKE IT DOWN Act (federal removal law) — Requires covered platforms to accept valid removal requests for nonconsensual intimate imagery, including AI-generated depictions, and remove it promptly. Wikipedia: TAKE IT DOWN Act
  • Right of publicity / likeness rights (state law) — Applies when your face, name, or likeness is used without permission for commercial gain. Rules vary by state. Cornell LII: Right of publicity overview
  • Privacy torts (appropriation, false light, intrusion) — Common law claims that can apply to unauthorized use or harmful portrayal of your image. Cornell LII: Privacy torts overview
  • DMCA notice-and-takedown (17 U.S.C. § 512) — Use when your original photo or video is copied online without permission. U.S. Copyright Office: Section 512
  • Copyright exclusive rights (17 U.S.C. § 106) — Basis for lawsuits when your copyrighted image or video is reproduced or displayed without authorization. U.S. Code: 17 U.S.C. § 106
  • False endorsement (Lanham Act, 15 U.S.C. § 1125(a)) — Use when your face is used to imply sponsorship or endorsement of a product or service. U.S. Code: 15 U.S.C. § 1125

Legal paths and laws (EU)

EU data protection rules can apply when your image is treated as personal data. Rights and scope vary by context, so consider local guidance or legal counsel.

  • Right to erasure (“Right to be forgotten”) — Request deletion of personal data when it is no longer necessary, unlawfully processed, or consent is withdrawn. GDPR Article 17 overview
  • Right to object — Object to processing based on legitimate interests, including certain profiling and marketing uses. GDPR Article 21 overview
  • Right to rectification — Require inaccurate or incomplete personal data to be corrected or completed. GDPR Article 16 overview
  • Right to restriction of processing — Limit processing while a dispute is investigated, or when you contest accuracy or lawfulness. GDPR Article 18 overview

Legal paths and laws (Global)

These international frameworks and cross-border tools can apply regardless of where the misuse occurs or where a platform is headquartered.

  • Platform Terms of Service & reporting portals — Most major platforms have global policies against impersonation and non-consensual imagery. Reporting through official channels can trigger takedowns and account bans.
  • Copyright/notice systems (global equivalents) — Many countries have copyright notice systems similar to DMCA-style takedowns. These can help remove unauthorized copies of your original photos or videos.
  • Cross-border data protection requests — If a platform processes personal data internationally, you may still request access, correction, or deletion under applicable privacy laws and contractual policies.