Avoid Unsolicited Dick Pics with this Simple Phone Hack

Sending naughty pics can be a fun and salacious way to spice up an online (or IRL) relationship—with the express and non-negotiable caveat that the content is consensual; that it’s consensually given and consensually received. 

On the other hand, messaging unsolicited and unwanted dick pics or other explicit pictures is downright offensive and unacceptable. Random people sending these invasive pictures is a serious issue and has become a surprisingly common nuisance. 

Protect your Digital Privacy and Personal Safety

Rule #1: Rely on Hushed and keep your personal information just for you. This simple phone hack is the best way to just keep your private data separate from any risk of receiving any types of material you do not want to see. 

Fortunately, Hushed offers a simple way to keep these unwanted “dick pics” away from your personal number. A private, temporary phone number means you can provide your digits to anyone you meet in unpredictable situations, like at a bar, online dating apps, or even random networking events.

Hand out your Hushed number instead of your real one, and keep potential invasions of your privacy, like unsolicited images, far away from your regular chat threads.  

In addition to depending on your temporary phone number with Hushed, here are a few rules to live by to help keep your personal safer top-of-mind at all times. 

Limit Social Media Access

Wait before adding new friends or acquaintances on your personal social media accounts until trust is well-established.

Meet in Public Places

Always opt for busy public spaces or bright, reliable venues for initial meetups with people you only know from online, rather than private or secluded spaces.

Inform a Friend

Before you head on a date or meet-up, definitely let someone know where you’re going, who you’re meeting, and when you expect to return.

Avoid Oversharing

Never share any sensitive details (like intimate photos) or personal information (like your home address, work location, or financial information) early on in your relationship.

Research the Person

A little online sleuthing is always a good idea. Do a quick Google search to verify basic details—especially if something feels off.

Download and Take Advantage of Encrypted Messaging Apps

Stick to messaging through secure, encrypted apps like Whatsapp for additional privacy.

Disable Location Tracking

Toggle off any location sharing on apps to avoid inadvertently revealing your movements to people you don’t know yet.

Set Boundaries Early

Boundaries are your best friend. It’s okay to be upfront about what you do and do not what to share and any communication methods (and frequency) you’re comfortable with.

Trust Your Instincts

You know yourself and you know what makes you feel comfortable and safe. If something feels wrong—even a little bit—don’t hesitate to just leave or end communication immediately. With Hushed you can delete or change your temporary number instantly and easily. 

Is it Really a Big Deal?

With a shift towards online safety and recognizing the importance of personal boundaries and consent, public sentiment towards taking a hard stance against unsolicited intimate images is growing. In fact, in Canada, there’s actually a push to criminalize sending unsolicited dick pics as both a form of harassment and a violation of privacy.

Currently, laws fail to cover this type of assault, which leaves gaps in protections for recipients. While it’s recognized that in-person indecent exposure is clearly illegal, any types of digital exposure is ignored or falls into a grey area, despite any similar distress that it causes people who view it against their will.

By criminalizing these unsolicited images, there could be a shift towards prioritizing consent in addition to providing much-needed stronger protections against any type of virtual harassment.