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GSPS: Sharing intimate images without consent is a criminal offence

Police asking people to be social media safe when posting images
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(Supplied)

Recently, the Greater Sudbury Police Service Cyber Crime Unit has received complaints about images being swiped from personal social media accounts.

The Cyber Crime Unit has learned that social media users are taking screenshots of images from other users' accounts and then using the images on websites in order to request intimate images of the person who originally posted the photos.

"We would like to remind social media users to ensure that privacy settings are set accordingly," said a GSPS news release.

"Make sure that you know and trust the individuals who have sent you a friend/follow requests before confirming/accepting them."

Police are urging people to be mindful of the images and videos that they are posting on social media. Many terms and conditions of social media websites indicate that once images/videos are posted on the site, you relinquish ownership of them.

"We would also like to remind community members that sharing intimate images/videos without the consent of the individual(s) in the image/video is a criminal offence," said the news release.

"In cases where the parties are under 18 years of age, intimate images may be child pornography."

For assistance in securing social media accounts, please refer to the contact information below:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/help
Instagram: https://help.instagram.com
Snapchat: https://support.snapchat.com
YouTube: https://support.google.com/youtube

The Cybercrime Unit encourages community members to visit CyberTip.ca for information on how to prevent your loved ones from being exploited online, as well as, resources for children/teens who have fallen victim to exploitation. Cybertip.ca is Canada’s tip line to report Child Exploitation online. 

You may also contact the Greater Sudbury Police Service directly to report Internet child exploitation by calling 705-675-9171.