Celebrity gossip columns have made this story all too familiar: Girl meets boy, they fall in love, she shares some sexy photos, they break up, and now those images are splashed across websites and magazines worldwide.

It seems like something that would only happen to famous people. However, in the age of smartphones and instantaneous sharing, leaked snapchats and intimate selfies can come back to embarrass almost anyone.

What can you do if you find your ex has published your image online in spite of your expectation that it was “for your eyes only”?

If an ex has made your pictures public without your permission, you can request they be removed from wherever they are posted. Many social media websites have simple processes for requesting removal of private photos. Usually these processes are explained on each website.

If you took the original photo, you can assert its use is a copyright violation.

You can also ask your ex to delete or remove the photos, or have your lawyer or the police ask that they are removed. You might be able to take a civil action to have the photos removed or to seek compensation for any harm suffered as a result of the photos being published.

Photos taken without your knowledge may also breach criminal laws, and you can ask the police to investigate. With the Harmful Digital Communications Bill currently before Parliament, it is likely laws in this area will become more effective in the future.

While the best way to avoid problems is to not take intimate photographs in the first place, in a relationship you should be able to trust your partner. The law acknowledges this, and there are options available if you find yourself in this situation.