Have you ever sent compromising pictures or videos of yourself to someone over Facebook? If so, you may be at risk for Facebook sextortion. This is a type of online blackmail in which the perpetrator uses your private images or videos against you, threatening to release them to your friends and family unless you pay them money. Luckily, there are steps you can take to protect yourself from this type of abuse. Keep reading to get the answer to the question “How Do I Stop Facebook Sextortion?” and the resources Facebook provides for victims.
Does Facebook Stop Sextortion?
There have been dozens if not hundreds of cases of sextortion stemming from Facebook, with victims claiming a stranger approached them online and sparked up a flirtatious conversation which led to the exchange of explicit content over the website.
Facebook’s safety center offers tips for teens, caregivers, and educators, as well as resources to learn more about online sextortion, how to handle it, and how to report it.
These resources and tips can educate potential victims on what to look out for when you are approached by a stranger online and can help put an end to sextortion on facebook.
What To Do if Someone is Blackmailing You with Video/Photos on Facebook?
It is against Facebook’s community standards to threaten or force people to send intimate photos or videos of themselves. If someone is blackmailing you with your private content on Facebook you should report their account immediately.
Next, you can head to their safety center and look for the ‘nonconsensual intimate images’ tab to find access to organizations and resources to support you, as well as steps you can take to remove the images from Facebook and prevent them from being shared or reshared.
After reporting your blackmailers account and any content they might’ve shared, you should seek out law enforcement and blackmail specialists.
What Should a Victim of Sextortion Do?
In addition to the advice Facebook has provided from experts, here are more tips on what to do if you are faced with sextortion.
- Keep your privacy setting strong on all of your online accounts.
- Make sure to document every interaction you’ve had with your blackmailer; this can be very helpful for police and specialists.
- Do not give your blackmailer a dime! This will open up a whirlwind of more harassment and have your blackmailer asking for more money.
- Stall your suspect as long as you can. If you are able to stall your suspect long enough until you seek out the help from specialists the better.
- Seek out blackmail specialists. Law enforcement might not be able to help with your case as fast as you would need it, but there are companies that specialize in cyber-crimes and will be able to assist you faster.
As we have seen, sextortion is a real and pressing issue. If you find yourself the victim of blackmail or extortion, do not hesitate to reach out for help.
The Facebook safety center provides excellent resources for victims of sextortion, as does your local law enforcement agency. In addition, there are experts in the field of blackmail and extortion who can help you get through this difficult time.
We are the team of experts who can handle any technical evidence you may need for law enforcement investigations. We hope that by raising awareness of sextortion and providing helpful resources, we can help reduce the number of people affected by this terrible crime.
