Request for removal of sexual images that have been spread against one's will
Regarding sexual images and videos that have been illegally uploaded and spread, we receive many requests from people seeking advice saying, "Searching the Internet for images and videos on my own is extremely mentally distressing. Is there anything that can be done?"
As part of its support for victims and their families, PAPUS has been providing support since December 2017, immediately after experiencing digital sexual violence, to help victims request the deletion of sexual images and videos that have been spread online without them having to search for them themselves (an act that can itself lead to secondary victimization).
If the client wishes, we also provide support regarding criminal charges. Because sexual images and videos are spread globally via the Internet, we also work with international private organizations (such as overseas NGOs and pro bono lawyers) to provide relief to victims across borders.
The process for requesting deletion by Pappus
Basically, you can use the service for free.
You will meet with Papus and together we will determine the best course of action.
Female staff make regular rounds.
When you make a deletion request, we automatically preserve the evidence.
We will make a deletion request in the local language to the site administrator or server operator.
The AI (machine learning) will learn the results of staff deletion requests.
The AI patrols the site 24 hours a day to find whether the image in question has been uploaded.
About meetings and in-person consultations
The circumstances and relationships of the people who come to us for advice are all different, and so are the difficulties they face as digital tattoos. Many people worry that their school or acquaintances will find out and it will be difficult for them to attend. Therefore, in addition to the initial worries, we will also consider these issues together.
Another characteristic of digital sexual violence is that many victims suffer from mental health issues due to the constant fear that someone is viewing sexually explicit images of them.
It is very important not to keep it to yourself and to share your worries.
Interviews are held in Shibuya-ku, Tokyo or via Zoom (online).
About the Pappus Removal Request System
In fiscal 2023, we made 16,526 takedown requests: 9,367 removed (56.7%), 733 partially removed (4.4%), 6,360 still online (38.5%), 59 on hold (0.36%), and 7 in progress (0.04%).
PAPS's strength is collaboration*. Because we handle many cases—such as coerced AV appearances—where images did not come down even after third-party takedown requests, our removal rate is about 60%. Child sexual abuse material and revenge porn are removed with high probability. We respond in partnership with overseas NPOs and NGOs and pro bono lawyers in the relevant regions.
For hard-to-reach overseas sites, we send individual takedown requests in English. For example, when hosting servers ignored repeated takedown requests, notifying the overseas hosting provider that sexual images of multiple clients had been posted against their will has in some cases led to entire sites being shut down.
*Collaboration means cooperating and coordinating to achieve a common goal, with each party exercising its own initiative while recognizing and respecting the other's position and strengths.
About the Pappus Removal Request System
PAPS analyzes what we learn about perpetrators through takedown requests and advocates to the government and legislature for the legal reforms that are needed. In June 2022, we were involved in the passage of the AV Appearance Harm Prevention and Relief Act.In July 2023, through the Citizens' Project for Penal Code Reform, which called for reform of the Penal Code's sex-crime provisions to reflect the realities of sexual violence, we were involved in establishing the offenses of non-consensual photographing of sexual postures and of demanding transmission of sexual images.
We also work with overseas organizations that share PAPS's values to clarify where responsibility lies for porn video platforms.
May 2022: Testified as a witness before the House of Representatives Committee on Health, Labour and Welfare
About the Pappus Removal Request System
In 2019, Pappus received funding from the Mitsubishi Foundation, a public interest incorporated foundation, to develop a system for requesting the removal of sexual images that have been spread against the individual's will. The system aims to quickly find sexual images that have been spread on the internet against the individual's will and to request their removal. It also takes measures to prevent future spread. Currently, the system is being used in actual consultation and support activities, utilizing the latest AI technology (facial recognition technology).
Step 1
Using a system developed for removal request staff, we extract images and videos of clients from web pages that contain them. This is done not by analyzing HTML code, but by using a tool called Selenium Webdriver and Chrome DevTools Protocol to monitor the network traffic of web pages and extract images and videos accurately and without omissions.
The photo is for illustrative purposes only.
Step 2
We have a database of 17,000 domains of pornographic video posting sites that we have requested to be taken down. We use this database to confirm the most effective method of removal and then make the request. From the results of past removal requests, we can know in advance whether the site will comply with the removal request. For sites that do not comply with the removal request, we work with overseas hotline centers and pro bono law firms to remove them.
Step 3
To handle child pornography, revenge porn, coerced AV appearances, hidden-camera footage and more, we have prepared template notification letters for each type of case. First, add the URLs of the images or videos you want removed in Step 1, and they are automatically inserted into the notification. If the recipient accepts email, you can send it with a single click. If a contact form must be filled in, copy and paste the necessary information and submit it.
After sending, the AI (machine learning) learns which images and videos were the subject of takedown requests. As requests are repeated, the AI becomes able to find target images automatically, making takedown requests more efficient.
AI (machine learning search)
In order to reduce the burden on staff in charge of deletion requests and to respond efficiently to the increasing number of inquiries to Pappus, we have previously used a unique model using CNN (convolutional neural network) to identify images of victims. However, there were limitations to the accuracy, so we are now adopting new models ( RetinaFace and other lightweight models) to improve the accuracy of facial recognition in particular. With this, we have added a function to adjust the angle of the face, and we are currently developing a system to check whether the detected face is a victim or not against the face database of the person who made the inquiry.
Step 4
Using the TensorFlow and OpenCV image detection libraries, we leverage pre-trained models to find and extract features from images. If the face is angled, we correct the face so that it faces forward, resulting in more accurate detection.
This is a photo of the staff prepared for the sample.
Step 5
In the case on the right, only 25 images are registered, so the victim's images are randomly divided and registered, increasing the number by 30.
After that, we train the model using convolutional neural network techniques, such as using Tensorflow's Keras neural network library ( https://keras.io/ ).
By using the trained model to judge images, it is possible to find undiscovered images that have not yet been found or visually inspected by staff.
To assess images using machine learning, we use servers equipped with CPUs and GPUs that are optimal for deep learning, accelerating processing speeds.
Step 6
The system will crawl the web to search for pages that contain the image. If it finds one, it will notify staff. If machine learning is able to determine with 95% certainty that the image is the one in question, it will be highlighted in pink. Pappus staff will then request the image to be removed (step 3).
This staff photo was prepared as a sample.
Step 7
In PAPS's takedown work, staff stay in close contact with each person we support.
Each time we make a takedown request,we send you a copy by email.If you have questions about the removal status, we do our best to analyze the situation and respond.
Once a year we send an email to confirm that you wish to continue. Unless we lose contact with you or you tell us to finish,you can keep using the service free of charge.
What matters is not carrying this alone—please don't struggle by yourself.
Message from staff requesting deletion
A server with two NVIDIA GPUs and 20,992 CUDA cores runs at full capacity searching for images that were spread against the victim's will. It is operated outside its case to improve cooling.
Renting a GPU server suited to machine learning and deep learning would cost around 200,000 yen per month, but PAPS runs its own on-premises environment, allowing us to provide this service free of charge.
CPU: i7-11700K, Mem: 128GB, HDD: 4TB+26TB
Message from staff requesting deletion
The number of pages on adult sites is far beyond imagination! Even when we request it, they won't be removed!! Even when they are finally removed, they are uploaded again within a few months and new adult sites are created. I was speechless at this situation. In uncensored videos, only the face of the person filming is hidden, but I feel indignant towards those who film knowing that it is illegal. Are women really being exploited for the profits of people like this? I am working every day to let more people know about the current situation and to put an end to this situation as soon as possible!
If you currently have actual images or videos downloaded, we recommend using StopNCII or Takeitdown.
This web tool extracts and registers digital fingerprints from sexual images, which can be used to prevent them from being spread on video-sharing social networking sites such as Instagram and TikTok, or the adult video sharing site Pornhub.
The image hash value verification mechanism used by StopNCII and Takeitdown is highly automated and, unlike AI or machine learning, is highly reliable.
StopNCII does not have a Japanese version, but you can register using the translation function of your browser.
Submit the takedown to PAPS
*PAPS is a non-profit organization and does not receive any money (i.e. no compensation).
If PAPS cannot find the contact information to request removal after investigating, we may ask a professional investigation company to do so. We may ask you to bear the cost of the investigation, but we will explain this to you in advance and obtain your approval before proceeding. For more information, please contact us via the PAPS inquiry form, e-mail: paps@paps-jp.org, or phone: 050-3186-4119 (PAPS office phone).
Make the takedown yourself
Digital Sexual Violence Victim Support Center
The Digital Sexual Violence Victim Support Center operated by PAPS publishes on its website, for those harmed by digital sexual violence, how to request removal of sexual images that have spread.
Please make use of the information published there as well.
How we deal with adult site operators
At the request of those who consult us, PAPS files takedown requests for portraits and other images uploaded unlawfully.
We ask adult site operators to comply with these takedown requests, also from a humanitarian standpoint.
The email addresses we use for takedown requests are sid******[at]delete.paps.jp and delete[at]paps-jp.org.
The X account we use for takedown requests is@PDeleteteam .
If our takedown requests are repeatedly ignored, PAPS takes further measures.
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We take steps to have the content de-indexed from search engines.
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We request that hosting companies take transmission-prevention measures against the infringing content under the Provider Liability Limitation Act.
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In malicious cases, after consulting with the client and engaging a lawyer, we obtain a provisional order for disclosure of sender information and then bring suit against the poster.
• Outreach: proactively reaching out with information and support to people who need help but are not yet receiving it.
• Takedown requests: requesting, on the person's behalf, the removal of sexual images that have spread.
• Advocacy: communications, awareness-raising, and policy proposals.
Takedown requests
Policy advocacy
Connecting people to
recovery and independence
PAPS supports people affected by sexual exploitation and digital sexual violence