{
  "batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
  "articles": [
    {
      "id": "learn_r409_montana_privacy_and_image_law_for_creators_mt_mca_index",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Statutory code index",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana's statutes are published on the official legislative site at archive.legmt.gov under the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) index listing all titles.",
      "body": "Montana's statutes are published on the official legislative site at archive.legmt.gov under the Montana Code Annotated (MCA) index listing all titles.\n\nWhat Montana Legislative Services Division actually says:\n\n“Montana Code Annotated 2025 **Updated August 2026** ## Table of Contents - [TITLE 45. CRIMES](./title_0450/chapters_index.html) - [TITLE 27. CIVIL LIABILITY, REMEDIES, AND LIMITATIONS](./title_0270/chapters_index.html) - [TITLE 40. FAMILY LAW](./title_0400/chapters_index.html)”\n\nNote: Anchor record: official Montana statutory code index URL and heading.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/index.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-15",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislative Services Division",
      "evidence_quote": "Montana Code Annotated 2025 **Updated August 2026** ## Table of Contents - [TITLE 45. CRIMES](./title_0450/chapters_index.html) - [TITLE 27. CIVIL LIABILITY, REMEDIES, AND LIMITATIONS](./title_0270/chapters_index.html) - [TITLE 40. FAMILY LAW](./title_0400/chapters_index.html)",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated",
      "topic": "statutory code index",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "choosing",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "access.signup"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r409_montana_privacy_and_image_law_for_creators_mt_27_1_1503_civil",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Civil remedy for intimidation including image-based threats",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 27-1-1503 gives a civil cause of action to individuals or organizations injured by acts in violation of 45-5-203, 45-7-102, or 45-7-209, and to those attempting to exercise a legally protected right who are injured by a threat or intimidation.",
      "body": "Montana Code Annotated 27-1-1503 gives a civil cause of action to individuals or organizations injured by acts in violation of 45-5-203, 45-7-102, or 45-7-209, and to those attempting to exercise a legally protected right who are injured by a threat or intimidation.\n\nWhat Montana Legislative Services Division actually says:\n\n“(1) A public official, family member of a public official, juror, voter, individual, or organization that is injured, harmed, or otherwise aggrieved by the acts of another person in violation of 45-5-203, 45-7-102, or 45-7-209 has a civil cause of action against the person causing the harm. (2) An individual or organization who is attempting to exercise a legally protected right and who is injured, harassed, or aggrieved by a threat or intimidation has a civil cause of action against the person engaging in the threatening or intimidating behavior.”\n\nNote: Section 2.7.15.003 — civil remedy for intimidation.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0270/chapter_0010/part_0150/section_0030/0270-0010-0150-0030.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-15",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislative Services Division",
      "evidence_quote": "(1) A public official, family member of a public official, juror, voter, individual, or organization that is injured, harmed, or otherwise aggrieved by the acts of another person in violation of 45-5-203, 45-7-102, or 45-7-209 has a civil cause of action against the person causing the harm. (2) An individual or organization who is attempting to exercise a legally protected right and who is injured, harassed, or aggrieved by a threat or intimidation has a civil cause of action against the person engaging in the threatening or intimidating behavior.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
      "subject": "Montana Anti-Intimidation Act (27-1-1503)",
      "topic": "civil remedy for intimidation including image-based threats",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.legal",
          "rules.enforcement"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r409_montana_privacy_and_image_law_for_creators_mt_45_5_203_criminal",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-5-203: criminal intimidation offense",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-5-203 makes intimidation a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years or a fine of up to $50,000, or both, when a person communicates a threat to inflict harm, subject another to confinement, or commit a felony.",
      "body": "Montana Code Annotated 45-5-203 makes intimidation a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years or a fine of up to $50,000, or both, when a person communicates a threat to inflict harm, subject another to confinement, or commit a felony.\n\nWhat Montana Legislative Services Division actually says:\n\n“(3) A person convicted of the offense of intimidation shall be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both.”\n\nNote: Section 45-5-203 — criminal intimidation; covers threats including image-based threats.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0020/section_0030/0450-0050-0020-0030.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-15",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislative Services Division",
      "evidence_quote": "(3) A person convicted of the offense of intimidation shall be imprisoned in the state prison for any term not to exceed 10 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $50,000, or both.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-5-203",
      "topic": "criminal intimidation offense",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.enforcement",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r409_montana_privacy_and_image_law_for_creators_mt_45_8_213_privacy",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-213: privacy in communications (nonconsensual intimate image disclosure)",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-213 criminalizes publishing or disclosing real or digitally fabricated images showing visible genitals, anus, buttocks, or female breast with exposed nipple, or a person engaged in a sexual act, without consent and with intent to obtain money or for another listed purpose, with penalties up to 5 years in state prison and a $25,000 fine on a second offense.",
      "body": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-213 criminalizes publishing or disclosing real or digitally fabricated images showing visible genitals, anus, buttocks, or female breast with exposed nipple, or a person engaged in a sexual act, without consent and with intent to obtain money or for another listed purpose, with penalties up to 5 years in state prison and a $25,000 fine on a second offense.\n\nWhat Montana Legislative Services Division actually says:\n\n“(1)(d) with the purpose to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, or injure or to obtain money or other valuable consideration, publishes, distributes, or discloses real or digitally fabricated printed or electronic photographs, pictures, images, or films of an identifiable person without the consent of the person depicted that show: (i) the visible genitals, anus, buttocks, or female breast if the nipple is exposed; or (ii) the person depicted engaged in a real or simulated sexual act; or (1)(e) with the purpose to obtain money or other valuable consideration from an identifiable person without the consent of the person depicted, possesses and threatens to disclose real or digitally fabricated images or videos that show: (i) the visible genitals, anus, buttocks, or female breast if the nipple is exposed; or (ii) the person depicted engaged in a real or simulated sexual act. (4)(d) On a second or subsequent conviction of subsection (1)(d) or (1)(e), a person is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 5 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $25,000, or both.”\n\nNote: Section 45-8-213 — nonconsensual intimate image and deepfake dissemination; covers real and digitally fabricated images.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0130/0450-0080-0020-0130.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-15",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislative Services Division",
      "evidence_quote": "(1)(d) with the purpose to terrify, intimidate, threaten, harass, or injure or to obtain money or other valuable consideration, publishes, distributes, or discloses real or digitally fabricated printed or electronic photographs, pictures, images, or films of an identifiable person without the consent of the person depicted that show: (i) the visible genitals, anus, buttocks, or female breast if the nipple is exposed; or (ii) the person depicted engaged in a real or simulated sexual act; or (1)(e) with the purpose to obtain money or other valuable consideration from an identifiable person without the consent of the person depicted, possesses and threatens to disclose real or digitally fabricated images or videos that show: (i) the visible genitals, anus, buttocks, or female breast if the nipple is exposed; or (ii) the person depicted engaged in a real or simulated sexual act. (4)(d) On a second or subsequent conviction of subsection (1)(d) or (1)(e), a person is guilty of a felony and shall be imprisoned for a term not to exceed 5 years or be fined an amount not to exceed $25,000, or both.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-213",
      "topic": "privacy in communications (nonconsensual intimate image disclosure)",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "explicit_solo",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "rules.enforcement",
          "safety.harm",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "explicit_solo"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r409_montana_privacy_and_image_law_for_creators_mt_45_5_220_stalking",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-5-220: stalking offense including online conduct",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-5-220 defines stalking as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for safety or suffer substantial emotional distress, and explicitly includes electronic and digital monitoring devices.",
      "body": "Montana Code Annotated 45-5-220 defines stalking as a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to fear for safety or suffer substantial emotional distress, and explicitly includes electronic and digital monitoring devices.\n\nWhat Montana Legislative Services Division actually says:\n\n“(1) A person commits the offense of stalking if the person purposely or knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person and knows or should know that the course of conduct would cause a reasonable person to: (a) fear for the person's own safety or the safety of a third person; or (b) suffer other substantial emotional distress. (2)(a) \"Course of conduct\" means two or more acts, including but not limited to acts in which the offender directly or indirectly, by any action, method, communication, or physical or electronic devices or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, harasses, or intimidates a person or interferes with a person's property. (b) \"Monitors\" includes the use of any electronic, digital, or global positioning device or similar technological means.”\n\nNote: Section 45-5-220 — stalking with explicit inclusion of electronic monitoring and online harassment.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0020/section_0200/0450-0050-0020-0200.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-15",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislative Services Division",
      "evidence_quote": "(1) A person commits the offense of stalking if the person purposely or knowingly engages in a course of conduct directed at a specific person and knows or should know that the course of conduct would cause a reasonable person to: (a) fear for the person's own safety or the safety of a third person; or (b) suffer other substantial emotional distress. (2)(a) \"Course of conduct\" means two or more acts, including but not limited to acts in which the offender directly or indirectly, by any action, method, communication, or physical or electronic devices or means, follows, monitors, observes, surveils, threatens, harasses, or intimidates a person or interferes with a person's property. (b) \"Monitors\" includes the use of any electronic, digital, or global positioning device or similar technological means.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-5-220",
      "topic": "stalking offense including online conduct",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.harm",
          "rules.enforcement"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r409_montana_privacy_and_image_law_for_creators_mt_45_8_220_ci",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-220: criminal invasion of personal privacy",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-8-220 makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in county jail or a $10,000 fine, to obtain or attempt to obtain personal or confidential information about an individual while posing as that individual.",
      "body": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-220 makes it a misdemeanor, punishable by up to 1 year in county jail or a $10,000 fine, to obtain or attempt to obtain personal or confidential information about an individual while posing as that individual.\n\nWhat Montana Legislative Services Division actually says:\n\n“45-8-220. Criminal invasion of personal privacy. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person commits the offense of invasion of personal privacy if the person knowingly or purposely obtains or attempts to obtain personal or confidential information about an individual while posing as the individual. A person convicted under this section shall be incarcerated for a term not to exceed 1 year or fined an amount not to exceed $10,000, or both.”\n\nNote: Section 45-8-220 — impersonation to obtain personal/confidential information.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0080/part_0020/section_0200/0450-0080-0020-0200.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-15",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislative Services Division",
      "evidence_quote": "45-8-220. Criminal invasion of personal privacy. (1) Except as provided in subsection (2), a person commits the offense of invasion of personal privacy if the person knowingly or purposely obtains or attempts to obtain personal or confidential information about an individual while posing as the individual. A person convicted under this section shall be incarcerated for a term not to exceed 1 year or fined an amount not to exceed $10,000, or both.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-8-220",
      "topic": "criminal invasion of personal privacy",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "setting_up",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.privacy",
          "safety.legal"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    },
    {
      "id": "learn_r409_montana_privacy_and_image_law_for_creators_mt_45_5_223_surreptitious",
      "category": "Safety",
      "title": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-5-223: surreptitious visual observation or recordation",
      "summary": "[Unverified - being checked] Montana Code Annotated 45-5-223 makes surreptitious visual observation or recordation in a place of residence or of another person's sexual or intimate parts a misdemeanor subject to up to 6 months in county jail or a $500 fine, with escalating penalties for repeat offenders up to 5 years and $10,000.",
      "body": "Montana Code Annotated 45-5-223 makes surreptitious visual observation or recordation in a place of residence or of another person's sexual or intimate parts a misdemeanor subject to up to 6 months in county jail or a $500 fine, with escalating penalties for repeat offenders up to 5 years and $10,000.\n\nWhat Montana Legislative Services Division actually says:\n\n“45-5-223. Surreptitious visual observation or recordation -- place of residence -- public place -- exceptions. (1) A person commits the offense of surreptitious visual observation or recordation in a place of residence if the person purposely or knowingly hides, waits, or otherwise loiters in person or by means of a remote electronic device within or in the vicinity of a private dwelling house, apartment, or other place of residence for the purpose of: (a) watching, gazing at, or looking upon any occupant in the residence in a surreptitious manner without the occupant's knowledge; or (b) by means of an electronic device, surreptitiously Observing or recording the visual image of any occupant in the residence without the occupant's knowledge. (4) A person convicted of an offense under subsection (1) or (2) shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be incarcerated in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both. Upon a second conviction, a person shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 or be incarcerated for a term not to exceed 1 year, or both. Upon a third or subsequent conviction, a person shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 or be incarcerated for a term not to exceed 5 years, or both.”\n\nNote: Section 45-5-223 — surreptitious observation/recordation of intimate images, covers use of electronic devices.",
      "source_type": "official",
      "source_link": "https://archive.legmt.gov/bills/mca/title_0450/chapter_0050/part_0020/section_0230/0450-0050-0020-0230.html",
      "last_verified": "2026-10-15",
      "reliability": "STRONG PRACTICE",
      "source_tier": "A",
      "source_publisher": "Montana Legislative Services Division",
      "evidence_quote": "45-5-223. Surreptitious visual observation or recordation -- place of residence -- public place -- exceptions. (1) A person commits the offense of surreptitious visual observation or recordation in a place of residence if the person purposely or knowingly hides, waits, or otherwise loiters in person or by means of a remote electronic device within or in the vicinity of a private dwelling house, apartment, or other place of residence for the purpose of: (a) watching, gazing at, or looking upon any occupant in the residence in a surreptitious manner without the occupant's knowledge; or (b) by means of an electronic device, surreptitiously Observing or recording the visual image of any occupant in the residence without the occupant's knowledge. (4) A person convicted of an offense under subsection (1) or (2) shall be fined an amount not to exceed $500 or be incarcerated in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months, or both. Upon a second conviction, a person shall be fined an amount not to exceed $1,000 or be incarcerated for a term not to exceed 1 year, or both. Upon a third or subsequent conviction, a person shall be fined an amount not to exceed $10,000 or be incarcerated for a term not to exceed 5 years, or both.",
      "volatility": "low",
      "from_batch": "409-montana-privacy-and-image-law-for-creators",
      "subject": "Montana Code Annotated 45-5-223",
      "topic": "surreptitious visual observation or recordation",
      "tags": {
        "lane": "any",
        "stage": "trouble",
        "region": [
          "us-mt"
        ],
        "platform": "any",
        "topic": [
          "safety.harm",
          "rules.enforcement"
        ],
        "explicitness": "any"
      },
      "verification": {
        "status": "unverified",
        "label": "Unverified - being checked",
        "reasons": [
          "legal_fetch_over_cap"
        ],
        "checked_utc": "20261021-123916Z"
      }
    }
  ]
}