How to sext safely: consent, privacy and the law

Consent comes before the camera

The golden rule: ask before you send, and wait for a clear yes. "Can I send you something a bit cheekier?" takes two seconds and makes the photo welcome rather than an ambush. A yes to flirty messages is not a yes to photos, and a yes yesterday is not a yes today.

It works the other way too. You never owe anyone a photo, however much they ask, however long you have been chatting. Someone who pushes after a no has answered the question of whether they can be trusted with one. Flirting well in words comes first anyway, and our guide to opening messages can help.

This is our in-depth guide to how to sext safely, including the law. If you are looking for someone to sext with, our page on how to find a sexting partner covers that side.

Never send unsolicited photos

Sending an explicit photo nobody asked for is not bold or funny. In England and Wales, cyberflashing has been a criminal offence since 31 January 2024: it covers sending a photo or video of genitals intending to cause alarm, distress or humiliation, or for sexual gratification while not caring whether it causes those. The first person was convicted within weeks, and it can mean prison and the sex offenders' register.

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own laws that cover it, and many other countries treat it as harassment or a sexual offence. On No Strings Dating it breaks our rules, and we act on reports.

Sharing someone's images is a crime

A photo sent to you is sent to you, not to your mates, a group chat or the internet. In England and Wales, sharing an intimate image of someone without their consent is a criminal offence, and so is threatening to share one, even if the image does not exist. It includes fakes made with editing or AI.

The rest of the UK, Ireland (under Coco's Law), the United States, Canada and Australia all have laws against sharing intimate images without consent, though the detail differs. The simple rule works everywhere: never show, forward or post anyone's private photos.

The one absolute line

Any sexual image of anyone under 18 is illegal to make, ask for, keep or send, everywhere, including if they say they are older or send it themselves. No Strings Dating is for adults only and every member passes an age check. If you ever see anything like this, report it to us and to the police straight away.

Keep your face, and your life, out of it

Assume any photo you send could one day be seen by someone else. Then make sure it could not be traced back to you.

• Leave your face out, or crop it.
• Cover or skip tattoos, birthmarks, distinctive jewellery and piercings.
• Check the background: post, family photos, a recognisable view, a work lanyard.
• Watch mirrors and windows, which show more of the room than you think.
• Use a neutral backdrop, like a plain wall or bedding.

Metadata: what your photo says about you

Photos taken on a phone can carry hidden details, including the date, the device and, if location is switched on for your camera, exactly where it was taken. Many apps strip this out when you send, but not all do, and files sent as attachments or documents often keep it.

The simplest fix is to turn off location for your camera in your phone's settings, or remove the location before you share. Take a screenshot of the photo instead of sending the original, if you are unsure.

Private photos on No Strings Dating

Your main photo is always shown, but you can make any other photo private. Private photos stay hidden until you choose to share them with someone from a chat, and you can stop sharing with a tap. Keeping it on the site means you are not handing your number to someone you have just met. Our guide to discreet dating covers more of this.

Every photo is checked before it goes live, so keep your public photos tasteful and save the rest for people you trust.

If someone threatens to share your photos

This is sometimes called sextortion: someone demands money or more images, or they will share what they have. It is frightening, and it is not your fault. These steps help, the National Crime Agency's sextortion advice covers the same ground, and our Safety Centre lists free support in every country we serve. Our guide to romance scams and sextortion has more on spotting it early.

• Do not pay. Paying rarely stops it, and demands usually grow.
• Stop replying and block them, but keep the evidence first: screenshots, usernames, links and any payment details they gave.
• Report it to the police (101 in the UK, or 999 if you are in danger) and to the site or app where it started. On No Strings Dating, report them from their profile or chat.
• Use StopNCII.org, a free tool for adults: it makes a digital fingerprint of your image on your own device, without uploading it, so partner platforms can block copies.
• In the UK, the Revenge Porn Helpline supports adults on 0345 6000 459 (weekdays, 10am to 4pm) or help@revengepornhelpline.org.uk.

Staying safe

Casual does not mean careless. A few habits make a big difference, and the site is built around them.

• Look for the red tick. Verified members have passed a photo and ID check.
• Meet somewhere public first, and use Safety check-in to tell a friend where and when.
• Keep the chat on the site until you are sure. Anyone who pushes you off it quickly, or asks for money, is someone to report.
• Close any chat that does not feel right. One tap, no explanations needed.
• Report anything odd. Reports are reviewed by a person, and every photo is checked before it goes live.

What it costs, in UK prices

Joining, building your profile and browsing are free. You pay only when you want to message, and you choose how long for.

Passes never renew. Plans that do renew send you a reminder first, and you can cancel in two taps. Payments show on your statement under a neutral company name.

The prices below are UK prices, in pounds. Wherever you are, our prices page shows them in your own currency.

• 24-hour pass: £1.99, perfect for a free night
• 1 week: £4.99
• 1 month: £9.99, the main plan
• 3 months: £19.99
• Women who verify get full membership free, for as long as they stay active

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