📅 2026 Update: Key Changes in Online Harassment Laws

Since the original article was published, several important changes have occurred in laws related to online harassment. These changes reflect growing concerns about cybercrimes and the misuse of technology. The earlier article continues further down the page, providing foundational information on the topic.

🛡️ TAKE IT DOWN Act

In 2025, the TAKE IT DOWN Act was signed into law. This act makes it illegal to publish intimate images without consent. It also criminalizes AI-generated deepfakes that depict real people.

Adults face penalties of up to two years in prison, while minors can receive up to three years.

🖥️ CFAA Amendments

The Computer Fraud and Abuse Act (CFAA) has undergone amendments to tackle new cyber threats. These include ransomware and data theft, broadening the range of cybercrimes it covers. Violations now carry penalties from one to twenty years in prison based on the offense's severity.

📊 FBI Internet Crime Reports

In 2024, the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) reported over 859,532 complaints, with losses exceeding $16.6 billion. Fraud accounted for 70.3% of these incidents. The prevalence of online scams highlights the urgent need to understand and combat cyber harassment.

🛠️ Compliance Requirements

Platforms that host user-generated content must comply with the TAKE IT DOWN Act by removing nonconsensual intimate images within 48 hours of a valid request. This requirement emphasizes the importance of swift action against online harassment.

📌 Key Points Summary

  • 🛡️ The TAKE IT DOWN Act criminalizes nonconsensual intimate images and AI deepfakes.
  • 🖥️ The CFAA now covers a wider range of cybercrimes.
  • 📊 In 2024, the FBI reported over 859,532 cybercrime complaints.
  • 🛠️ Platforms have 48 hours to remove harmful content as per the TAKE IT DOWN Act.
  • 📈 Fraud remains the most common offense in cyberspace.

💡 Tips for Navigating Online Harassment Issues

Review your individual situation with an attorney to understand the legal options available to you.

📝 Document Everything

Keep a record of any online harassment you experience. This includes screenshots, emails, and messages. Documenting incidents is crucial for reporting and potential legal action.

🛡️ Report Incidents

You can report cybercrimes to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). Reporting helps authorities track and address online harassment trends.

🚫 Know Your Rights

Familiarize yourself with the TAKE IT DOWN Act and other relevant laws. Understanding your rights can empower you to take action against harassment and seek justice.

⚖️ Understand Compliance Deadlines

If you encounter harmful content online, remember that platforms must respond to takedown requests within 48 hours. This is a critical window for ensuring swift action against harassment.

📞 Seek Support

Consider reaching out to organizations that specialize in helping victims of online harassment. Many nonprofits offer resources and support for those facing cyberbullying or harassment.

🏆 Services Ranked by User Reviews (2026)

The services listed below focus on credit repair and identity theft protection, which can be relevant for individuals facing online harassment. The following rankings are based on Trustpilot data as of October 2026. Scores can change over time, and it’s essential to consider that unhappy customers often leave more reviews, which might skew perceptions.

🥇 1. Lexington Law

Lexington Law has been rated 3.2. This service is known for offering credit repair services and identity theft protection. While many users find value in its offerings, some customers report billing issues and mixed effectiveness in service.

🥈 2. CreditRepair.com

CreditRepair.com has a lower rating of 1.2. This service also provides credit repair and identity theft protection. However, numerous complaints highlight problems with billing practices and concerns about the overall quality of service provided.

🆓 Free Reporting Options

The FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) provides a free platform for individuals to report cybercrimes. This service is essential for those experiencing online harassment and seeking to notify law enforcement.

🔎 What to Compare When Choosing Services

  • 🏷️ Reputation and Trustpilot ratings.
  • 💬 User reviews and feedback.
  • 💰 Pricing and fee structures.
  • 🛡️ Range of services offered.
  • 📞 Availability of customer support.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What should I do if I receive threatening messages online?

Report the messages to the platform and document everything. You can also report cyber harassment to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center.

🛡️ How does the TAKE IT DOWN Act protect victims?

The TAKE IT DOWN Act allows victims to request the removal of nonconsensual intimate images and AI deepfakes. Platforms must comply within 48 hours of receiving valid requests.

📊 What trends are being observed in online harassment cases?

Fraud remains the most common issue, making up 70.3% of reported cybercrime incidents in 2024. This trend shows a need for increased awareness and protective measures against online harassment.

⚖️ What are the penalties for violating the CFAA?

Penalties under the CFAA can range from one to twenty years in prison. The severity of the violation determines the specific penalty imposed.

📞 How can I access support for online harassment?

Organizations and nonprofits offer resources for victims of online harassment. It's advisable to seek help from these entities if you're facing such issues.

🔍 What should I include when reporting cyber harassment?

Include as much detail as possible, such as the nature of the harassment, evidence like screenshots, and the identity of the harasser if known. This information can help authorities take effective action.

⚖️ Recent Cases Related to Online Harassment

Recent court rulings highlight the evolving legal landscape surrounding online harassment. These cases connect to the laws discussed in this article, including the TAKE IT DOWN Act and CFAA amendments.

For more recent rulings, feel free to browse more rulings on the news page.

End of October 2026 Update






Due to the accessibility of information found on the Internet, Internet harassment is unfortunately becoming a common crime. Internet harassment can occur in many ways. Forms of Internet harassment tend to include a series of unwanted e-mails, messages, photos, videos, or anything done on the Internet that could bring harm to the harasser's victim.



 



 

What Sort of Harassment Can Happen Online?


Many times the harassment can start on the Internet and progress into a physical stalking case. Harassers and/or stalkers can easily obtain personal information about their victim by way of the Internet in order to locate or have contact with them.



 



 



Harassment can often be linked to criminals that commit cyberstalking. This often occurs when the stalker begins to have an infatuation with an individual(s) in either a positive or negative manner. That infatuation causes them to be too persistent in their efforts of harassing them, while using the Internet as a tool to do so.



 



 



Cases involving cyberstalking have progressed into serious criminal offenses. For example, in 1999 one of the country’s first cyberstalking laws went into effect when five women were murdered as a result of cyberstalking. Other states began to follow suit and also activated harassment laws that prohibit stalking and harassment on the Internet.



 



 



As more victims of Internet harassment come forward, laws are put into effect to protect victims and/or potential victims of Internet harassment. The harassment law tends to vary from State to State and there is currently not an existing Federal harassment law for people experiencing Internet harassment who are over the age of sixteen (a Federal harassment law is in place for minors under the age of sixteen).



 



 



However, there are ways to avoid becoming a victim of Internet harassment. One of the first and most obvious steps that can be taken is to not give your personal information out too freely. Avoid listing your personal e-mail address, phone number, home address, etc., on any Internet sites. Also, keep away from anything that may be deemed as "suggestive" or drawing too much attention to oneself.



 



 



If anyone contacts you and it can be considered a form of Internet harassment, do whatever can be done in order to block them and report them to your Internet service provider immediately. If the harassment progresses, find out your State's particular harassment law under your local judicial branch and/or courthouse.