The non-consensual sharing of intimate images has become one of the most disturbing and emotionally devastating abuses of technology in our time. For far too long, victims—especially young people—have faced insurmountable hurdles in seeking justice when private images are weaponized against them. With the coming into force of Quebec’s new law aimed at tackling this issue, we may finally be witnessing the start of a much-needed shift toward meaningful accountability and rapid redress.
The legislation, passed in December 2024 and taking effect this week, allows victims to apply online or at a courthouse for a judicial order to remove intimate images or videos that have been shared without their consent. That this process can be initiated within hours or a few days marks a major departure from the previously “long and tedious” legal route, as described by Mathieu Lévesque, parliamentary assistant to the province’s justice minister. And that’s critical—because when it comes to online content, every minute matters.
This law recognizes a harsh truth: once a photo or video is online, it takes on a life of its own. It can spread like wildfire through social media, messaging apps, and websites. And once viewed, it can’t be unseen. The damage is psychological, social, and sometimes even physical. As Lévesque rightly put it, “It’s a race against time.”
Quebec now joins British Columbia, Nova Scotia, and Manitoba in establishing legal frameworks to protect individuals from the non-consensual spread of intimate content. But what makes Quebec’s approach stand out is its simplicity and speed. There’s no long courtroom battle or overwhelming red tape. A victim—whether a teenager or an adult—can act swiftly and without needing extensive legal counsel. And that’s a huge step forward.
Still, no law is perfect, and this one is no exception.
For starters, the legislation’s broad use of the term “person” when defining who can be held responsible for possessing or controlling an image has raised eyebrows among legal experts. Montreal lawyer Antoine Guilmain points out that this undefined term could potentially implicate third-party internet companies—such as search engines and social media platforms—in unclear and possibly unfair ways. While the goal is to ensure that everyone who plays a role in the spread of harmful content is held to account, vague language could lead to legal uncertainty and unintended consequences for tech intermediaries.
British Columbia’s legislation smartly avoids this issue by offering safe harbor provisions for service providers who act in good faith to remove harmful content. Quebec would be wise to follow suit in offering similar clarity. Laws that protect victims must also be crafted precisely enough to avoid dragging well-intentioned parties into unnecessary legal confusion.
Another important point: this law doesn’t just protect against actual photographs or videos. It also covers manipulated or fake images—such as deepfakes—acknowledging that the emotional toll of these artificial visuals can be just as severe. Research has confirmed that victims of deepfake exploitation feel the same humiliation, anxiety, and trauma as those whose real images are circulated. In an era where AI can easily generate pornographic fakes in seconds, this recognition is not only timely but essential.
Perhaps most significantly, Quebec’s law sends a clear message to victims: you are not powerless. Whether you are 14 or 40, you have the right to demand that your privacy be restored. And with penalties reaching up to $50,000 per day for non-compliance—or even jail time—this law shows that Quebec is serious about deterrence.
Of course, laws alone won’t solve the deeper cultural issues around consent, respect, and digital ethics. Education and awareness—especially among teens—must go hand-in-hand with legal protection. But for now, Bill 73 gives victims a tangible tool in their fight for justice.
It may not be perfect. But in a legal landscape where victims of image-based abuse have often been left waiting and unheard, Quebec’s new law is a bold and compassionate leap forward. Other provinces—and indeed, the federal government—should take note.
