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If an AI service or someone using it has caused harm, report the conduct through the service’s own safety, abuse, privacy, or support channel first, and save a copy of what you submitted. Then choose a government or specialist reporting route based on the harm: the FTC for deceptive or unfair business practices, the FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) for cyber-enabled crime, the FBI tip form for other federal-crime tips, and dedicated services for nonconsensual intimate images. There is no general-purpose federal portal for every kind of AI misuse.

Start by reporting it to the AI service

Use the provider’s current report, safety, privacy, or support process when the conduct may violate its rules or involves its product. The exact process varies by service. Look in the app or website’s Help Center, account settings, or safety and privacy pages; if the relevant material is on a third-party platform, use that platform’s reporting process too.

  1. Submit a factual account: identify the content or behavior, where it appeared, when it happened, and why you believe it caused harm or violated a rule.
  2. Include relevant account names, URLs, and transaction details if applicable. Avoid adding unrelated personal information.
  3. Save your submission and any confirmation, case number, or reply. A service complaint is separate from a report to a government agency.

For the United States, the appropriate government or specialist channel depends on the conduct. Local and state authorities, laws, and non-U.S. reporting options may differ; check the relevant local authority as well as the provider’s current help center.

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Choose the reporting route that matches the harm

Situation Where to report What the route is for—and its limits
Misuse that may violate an AI service’s rules The service’s report, safety, privacy, or support channel Lets the provider review conduct on its service. Procedures vary; retain your submission and confirmation.
Deceptive or unfair business practice FTC ReportFraud.ftc.gov For consumer reports about business practices. The FTC distinguishes these from matters for its Office of Inspector General.
Cyber-enabled fraud, scam, threat, or intrusion FBI Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3) IC3 collects and analyzes complaints and may refer them to law enforcement or partner agencies; a report does not guarantee investigation or contact.
Other federal-crime information or an FBI tip FBI tip form or an FBI field office The FBI directs cyber-enabled crime reports to IC3. Do not use the online tip form for emergencies.
A covered platform has not processed an eligible intimate-image removal request Use the platform’s removal process, then TakeItDown.ftc.gov when the conditions described by the FTC apply The removal deadline and FTC reporting route concern qualifying requests to covered platforms under the Take It Down Act, not every kind of AI misuse.
Someone shared or threatened to share an intimate image without consent Adults: StopNCII.org. Minors: NCMEC’s Take It Down and CyberTipline. Local police or the FBI may also be appropriate. Use the resource suited to the person’s age and circumstances. These services address image-based abuse, not general complaints about an AI service.

FTC: deceptive or unfair business practices

Report a suspected consumer-facing business practice through ReportFraud.ftc.gov. This route may fit, for example, a deceptive claim about an AI service or a business practice that harmed consumers. It is not a universal complaint channel for any objectionable AI output.

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Consumer reports submitted through ReportFraud.ftc.gov enter Consumer Sentinel, a database available to federal, state, and local law enforcement. That information sharing supports enforcement and analysis; it does not promise individual case follow-up.

IC3: cyber-enabled crime

Use IC3 for cyber-enabled fraud, scams, cyber threats, or intrusions. The FBI describes IC3 as its public connection for information about cyber-enabled criminal activity. Provide the details you have, including how the activity occurred online and any related financial loss.

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FBI tips: other federal-crime information

Use the FBI’s tip form or contact an FBI field office if you have information about a possible federal crime that does not belong in IC3. The FBI asks for online-activity details such as the website or app, username, and date and time. For an emergency, contact emergency services rather than submitting the web form.

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Save evidence before content disappears

Preserve what you can safely and lawfully access. Keep the original message, output, email, or page where possible, and do not edit your only copy. A screenshot can help record what was visible, but by itself it does not establish authenticity.

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  • Identify the service and account: record the AI service or app name, account name or username, and relevant profile or post URLs.
  • Record when and where: note dates and times, including the time zone if known, and the page or app section where the material appeared.
  • Keep the original material: save the relevant message, output, email, or page in its original form when possible. If you make an annotated or redacted copy for sharing, retain a separate unaltered source file.
  • Document financial details: for a scam or payment dispute, keep account information, transaction dates and amounts, and the recipient details available to you.
  • Retain report records: keep provider confirmations, case numbers, and copies of forms or correspondence in a safe location.

IC3 advises complainants to retain complaint-related items safely in case investigators or prosecutors request them. The FBI also asks for website or app, username, and date/time details for online activity. The agency guidance does not require a particular evidence product or specify a forensic imaging standard.

What to do about nonconsensual intimate images and deepfakes

If an intimate image is shared or threatened without consent, including an AI-generated deepfake, use image-abuse reporting routes as well as any relevant platform complaint process. The FTC’s consumer guidance covers intimate photos and videos shared without consent and addresses AI-generated deepfakes.

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Request removal from the platform

Under the Take It Down Act process described by the FTC, a covered platform must remove qualifying nonconsensual intimate images and duplicates within 48 hours after a request. This applies to qualifying content and requests under that law; it is not a general deadline for every AI-related complaint. If the platform does not act within that period, or you cannot find a working request process, the FTC directs users to TakeItDown.ftc.gov. The FTC process asks which platform is involved, where the image is posted, and about your experience requesting removal; its page describes reports concerning up to five images on one platform.

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Use the resource for the person’s age

The FTC also identifies local law enforcement and FBI reporting as options for reporting perpetrators when appropriate. If someone is blackmailing you over an image, FTC guidance advises not paying or giving the person financial or device access, cutting off contact, and seeking trusted support.

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After you file a report

Keep your report confirmation and supporting records. IC3 says complaints are analyzed and may be referred to federal, state, local, or international law enforcement and partner agencies. If you have new information, IC3 advises filing a new complaint. The FBI says that whether it contacts someone or investigates is at the receiving agency’s discretion. None of these routes guarantees a response or a particular outcome.

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