How to Remove Content from Leak Sites

Strategies for removing unauthorized content from sites that commonly host leaked material.

Overview

Leak sites are websites specifically designed to host and share adult content without creator permission. These sites vary in their willingness to comply with DMCA requests.

Difficulty Varies

Some sites comply quickly, others ignore requests entirely. This guide covers general strategies.

Types of Leak Sites

Forum-Based Sites

• Multiple users post content
• Moderators may or may not respond
• Often hosted overseas

Aggregator Sites

• Scrape content from multiple sources
• May have automated removal
• Often have DMCA forms

File Locker Sites

• Host files uploaded by users
• Usually have abuse departments
• See File Hosts guide

General Removal Strategy

Step 1: Find Contact Information

Look for:

• DMCA page (footer, "Legal", "Contact")
• Abuse email (abuse@, dmca@, copyright@)
• Contact form
• WHOIS information for domain

Step 2: Send DMCA Notice

Use the template from Writing a Takedown Notice.

Step 3: Contact Hosting Provider

If the site doesn't respond:

1. Find the hosting provider via WHOIS
2. Send your DMCA notice to the host's abuse department
3. Most reputable hosts will act even if the site doesn't

Step 4: Search Engine Removal

Regardless of site response:

1. Remove from Google
2. Remove from Bing
3. This prevents discovery even if content remains

Finding Hosting Information

Using WHOIS

1. Go to ICANN WHOIS
2. Enter the domain name
3. Look for "Registrar" and "Name Server" information
4. Search for the host's abuse contact

Common Hosting Providers

Many leak sites use these hosts. Find their abuse contacts:

Provider	Abuse Email
Cloudflare	[email protected]
Namecheap	[email protected]
GoDaddy	[email protected]
OVH	[email protected]
Hetzner	[email protected]

Dealing with Unresponsive Sites

Escalation Path

1. Direct contact → Site owner (24-72 hour wait)
2. Hosting provider → Abuse department (48 hour wait)
3. Domain registrar → May suspend domain
4. CDN provider → Can block site access
5. Payment processor → Can cut off revenue
6. Search engines → Always submit regardless

Payment Processors

If a site monetizes through payments:

1. Identify their payment methods (PayPal, Stripe, etc.)
2. Report to the processor's abuse team
3. Payment loss motivates action

Advertising Networks

If a site runs ads:

1. Identify ad networks (inspect page source)
2. Report to ad network abuse departments
3. Loss of ad revenue motivates action

Sites That Never Comply

Some sites operate specifically to evade takedowns:

• Hosted in non-cooperative jurisdictions
• Anonymous ownership
• No payment processing to target

For these sites:

1. Focus on search engine removal
2. Document everything for potential legal action
3. Consider professional services like Unexpose

Protecting Yourself Going Forward

Watermarking

Add visible watermarks to content:

• Makes unauthorized use less appealing
• Establishes ownership
• Deters casual piracy

Monitoring

Set up ongoing monitoring:

• Regular Google searches for your name
• Image reverse search
• Use Unexpose for automated monitoring

Copyright Registration

Consider registering copyright:

• Stronger legal protections
• Enables statutory damages in lawsuits
• Useful for persistent infringers

When to Seek Legal Help

Consider an attorney when:

• Sites repeatedly ignore requests
• Same content keeps reappearing
• You want to pursue damages
• Mass infringement is occurring

Tips for Success

Document Everything

Screenshot content before requesting removal. Save all correspondence.

Be Persistent

Many sites hope you'll give up. Keep following up until content is removed.

Attack Multiple Points

Target the site, host, payment processor, and search engines simultaneously.

Next Steps

• File Hosts - For content on file hosting services
• Google Removal - Always remove from search