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Intimate Image Protection Act

NEW! - What We Heard Report

The Intimate Image Protection Act (IIPA) came into force on January 15, 2016.

This Act requires the government to make appropriate supports available to assist people who have had an intimate image distributed without consent or who believe that their intimate image is about to be distributed without consent. The supports are outlined in section 3 and include assistance in having an image removed from the internet as well as information on legal remedies and protection for persons concerned about the distribution of their intimate image. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is the agency designated by regulation to provide these supports.

The IIPA created the tort of non-consensual distribution of intimate images (section 11). This allows a person whose intimate image is distributed without consent to sue the person who distributed the image.

The Act defines an intimate image as a visual recording (photograph, film or video recording) in which a person is nude, partially nude or engaged in explicit sexual activity that was made in circumstances that gave rise to an expectation of privacy in the picture or recording (section 1).

In accordance with section 17, the Minister must conduct a comprehensive review of the IIPA within five years after it comes into force. A report on the review must also be submitted to the Legislative Assembly within one year of the completion of that review.

The review is being conducted by gathering information from stakeholders and members of the public. Individuals are invited to provide written responses to the following questions by April 14th.

NEW! - What We Heard Report

The Intimate Image Protection Act (IIPA) came into force on January 15, 2016.

This Act requires the government to make appropriate supports available to assist people who have had an intimate image distributed without consent or who believe that their intimate image is about to be distributed without consent. The supports are outlined in section 3 and include assistance in having an image removed from the internet as well as information on legal remedies and protection for persons concerned about the distribution of their intimate image. The Canadian Centre for Child Protection is the agency designated by regulation to provide these supports.

The IIPA created the tort of non-consensual distribution of intimate images (section 11). This allows a person whose intimate image is distributed without consent to sue the person who distributed the image.

The Act defines an intimate image as a visual recording (photograph, film or video recording) in which a person is nude, partially nude or engaged in explicit sexual activity that was made in circumstances that gave rise to an expectation of privacy in the picture or recording (section 1).

In accordance with section 17, the Minister must conduct a comprehensive review of the IIPA within five years after it comes into force. A report on the review must also be submitted to the Legislative Assembly within one year of the completion of that review.

The review is being conducted by gathering information from stakeholders and members of the public. Individuals are invited to provide written responses to the following questions by April 14th.

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