Report Privacy Violations & Harmful Content on Facebook

This guide walks you through reporting privacy violations and harmful content on Facebook, whether it’s a post, message, profile, or group that violates the platform’s standards. You’ll learn the exact steps for each type of content, what to do if the report isn’t accepted, and how to strengthen your case. No special tools are needed—just a Facebook account and the offending content in front of you.

What You’ll Need

A Facebook account (you must be logged in to report)
The URL or location of the content (post, profile, group, etc.)
Access to the device where you can view the content (mobile app or web browser)
Optional: screenshots of the content in case you need to reference it later

Step-by-Step

Identify the exact type of content. Determine whether it’s a post, comment, message, profile, page, group, event, or story. Reporting methods differ slightly by content type.
Navigate to the content. Open Facebook and go to the specific post, profile, or group that contains the violation. If you’re on the mobile app, tap the content to open it fully.
Find the three-dot menu. Look for the “…” (More) icon. On a post, it’s usually in the top-right corner. On a profile, it’s on the cover photo area. On a comment, hover over the comment and click the “…” that appears.
Select “Report” or “Find support or report”. The exact wording varies. On a post, you’ll see “Report post.” On a profile, it’s “Find support or report profile.” On a comment, it’s “Report comment.”
Choose the reason that best fits. Facebook presents a list of categories. For privacy violations, choose “Harassment” or “Privacy violations.” For harmful content, choose “Hate speech,” “Violence or incitement,” “Bullying,” or “Self-injury” as appropriate. Be as specific as possible.
Follow the on-screen prompts. Facebook may ask follow-up questions to narrow down the issue. For example, if you report harassment, it may ask if you know the person or if you feel threatened. Answer honestly.
Submit the report. After selecting the reason and answering any prompts, click “Submit” or “Send.” Facebook will confirm that your report has been received.
For messages (Messenger). Open the conversation, tap the person’s name at the top, scroll down, and select “Report.” Choose the reason (e.g., “Harassment” or “Hate speech”) and follow the prompts.
For groups. Go to the group, click “…” near the group name, select “Report group,” choose the reason, and submit.
For pages. On the page, click “…” below the cover photo, select “Find support or report page,” choose the reason, and follow the steps.
For stories. Open the story, tap the “…” at the top, and select “Report.”
For a profile impersonating you. Go to the profile, click “…” and choose “Find support or report profile.” Select “Pretending to be someone” and then “Me.” Follow the prompts to verify your identity.
For a hacked account. If your own account is compromised, go to facebook.com/hacked and follow the recovery steps. This is separate from reporting content.

Common Mistakes

Reporting from the wrong account. If you’re reporting on behalf of someone else, you must be logged into your own account, but you can report any public content. For privacy violations involving a friend, you can report it, but Facebook may ask the affected person to confirm.
Choosing the wrong category. Selecting “Spam” when it’s actually harassment can delay the review. Read each category carefully.
Not providing enough context. Facebook’s review relies on the content itself. If the violation is in a comment thread, report the specific comment, not the whole post.
Expecting immediate removal. Facebook’s review process can take time. Reports are not automatically acted upon.
Reporting multiple times unnecessarily. Duplicate reports can slow down the system. Submit once and wait for the outcome.

Tips

Take screenshots before reporting. If the content is removed before Facebook reviews it, you’ll have evidence for a follow-up.
Use the “Report” feature on the specific item. For example, if a comment is harassing, report the comment, not the entire post.
Be precise with the reason. For privacy violations, choose “Privacy violations” over “Harassment” if the issue is about exposing personal information.
For urgent safety concerns, contact local emergency services. Facebook’s reporting is not a substitute for immediate help.
Check your Support Inbox. Facebook sends updates on your reports to the “Support Inbox” in your settings. You can follow up there.
If you’re reporting a copyright issue, use the dedicated form. Go to facebook.com/help/contact/208282075858952 for copyright claims.

Troubleshooting

Report button not visible. If you don’t see the “…” or “Report” option, the content may be from a restricted profile or the page may have disabled reporting. Try accessing the content from a different device or ask a friend to report it.
Facebook says “This content is not available.” The content may have been deleted or made private. If you have screenshots, you can still report the user’s profile for the same reason.
Your report was rejected. Facebook may not find a violation if the content falls under protected speech or doesn’t meet their standards. You can appeal by going to your Support Inbox, finding the report, and clicking “Request another review.”
You’re being harassed by a user who keeps creating new accounts. Report each new profile, and consider blocking the user. Facebook may take action on the network of accounts.
You can’t report a message from someone you’ve blocked. Unblock the person temporarily, report the message, then re-block them.
If you’re reporting a privacy violation of a minor, use the special form. Go to facebook.com/help/contact/210888615920033 for reporting underage users or exploitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: How long does Facebook take to review a report?
A: It varies. Some reports are reviewed within 24 hours, others may take several days. You can check the status in your Support Inbox.

Q: Can I report anonymously?
A: No, you must be logged in to report. Facebook doesn’t offer anonymous reporting, but the person you report won’t be told who reported them.

Q: What if the content is illegal (e.g., threats of violence)?
A: Report it to Facebook and also contact local law enforcement if you feel threatened. Facebook may provide information to authorities in serious cases.

Q: Can I report a post that shows me in a photo without my permission?
A: Yes, you can report it as a privacy violation. Facebook will review it and may remove it if it violates their policies.

Q: What happens after I report?
A: Facebook reviews the content against its Community Standards. If it violates, the content is removed and the account may be penalized. You’ll receive a notification about the outcome.

Q: Can I report a group that’s private?
A: Yes, you can report a private group if you’re a member. If you’re not a member, you may not see the report option unless the group is public.

General steps for current mainstream versions; menus can differ by device and version. See the disclaimer or report an error.

More in this bed

The whole Tech How-To bed →