Germany StGB § 201a: violation of privacy by images
§ 201a StGB punishes unauthorised images taken in a home or other protected space, and images exposing a person's helplessness, as well as making them available to others.
Scope
- Unauthorised images of a person in a home or specially protected space
- Images exposing a person's helplessness
- Grossly offensive images of deceased persons
- Making such images available to third parties
Secretly photographing intimate areas has been a separate offence since 2021.
Removal
Alongside a criminal complaint, use DSA notices, StopNCII and Google's form. See removal from adult sites.
General information, not legal advice. In real cases we work alongside lawyers who specialise in digital rights.
Frequently asked questions
Does German law apply if the image was taken abroad?
Publication in Germany or availability on German platforms can bring German law into play; it needs case-by-case assessment.