How to Get an AWDTSG Post About You Removed (State-by-State Options, 2026)

A friend sends you a screenshot. Your photo, real name, city, occupation, and intimate personal details are posted inside a private Facebook group named *"Are We Dating The Same Guy?" (AWDTSG)*.

Below your picture is a long thread of unverified comments rating your character, discussing past dates, and making serious personal or professional allegations.

You did not consent to your photo or personal life being posted in a group with 100,000+ members.

What started as a network of localized safety forums for women has expanded into thousands of regional Facebook groups nationwide. While intended to warn against dangerous offenders, many AWDTSG groups frequently host unverified gossip, private screenshots, doxxing details, and false allegations.

This comprehensive 2026 step-by-step guide covers the legal, technical, and procedural methods for getting posts removed from AWDTSG groups, how to file DMCA Copyright Takedowns, Facebook Privacy & Bullying Violations, legal defamation realities, and how to stop online reputation damage.

Key Takeaways

• AWDTSG groups operate under private Facebook settings: Content inside private Facebook groups is hidden from general public feeds, but members frequently screenshot and share posts.
• DMCA Copyright Takedowns work IF you own the photo: If the posted image is a selfie or personal photograph taken by you, filing a formal DMCA copyright claim with Meta forces image removal.
• Meta's Bullying & Harassment policies prohibit doxxing: Posting full legal names, phone numbers, home addresses, or private text screenshots violates Meta's Community Standards.
• Defamation lawsuits require proof of falsifiable lies: Expressing a negative opinion (*"He was a bad date"*) is protected speech; posting false statements of fact (*"He has a felony record"*) creates actionable defamation liability.
• Engaging directly in group comments worsens exposure: Arguing in group comments or threatening members escalates drama and leads to secondary reposting.

The Structure of AWDTSG Groups & Content Flow

Understanding how content circulates inside these private Facebook networks helps target removal efforts:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│               1. ANONYMOUS MEMBER POSTS PHOTO & INQUIRY                 │
│   • Member posts target's Tinder/Bumble photo + Name/City.             │
│   • Asks: "Any tea on him? Is he safe?"                                │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                    │
                                    ▼
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│               2. UNVERIFIED COMMENT SECTION EXPANSION                   │
│   • Group members add unverified personal experiences & opinions.       │
│   • Screenshots of private text messages, dating profiles, & photos.   │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                                    │
                                    ▼ (Removal Options Executed)
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│ 3. PROCEDURAL REMOVAL CHANNELS                                          │
│   • DMCA Copyright Removal (Selfie Ownership Claim)                    │
│   • Meta Bullying & Harassment Policy Report                            │
│   • Formal Attorney Cease & Desist / Subpoena to Group Admins           │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Method 1: DMCA Copyright Takedown (Most Effective Method)

The Digital Millennium Copyright Act (DMCA) is the most reliable legal mechanism to force Facebook/Meta to remove an AWDTSG post containing your photo.

The Copyright Requirement Rule

• Selfies / Personal Photos: If the photo posted in the group is a selfie taken by you, or a photo you personally captured, you own the copyright.
• Professional Photos: If a professional photographer took the photo, they hold the copyright unless transferred to you.

[ Locate Posted Photo ] ──► [ Verify Self-Ownership (Selfie) ] ──► [ Open Meta IP Form ] ──► [ Submit DMCA Claim ➔ Meta Removes Photo ]

Step-by-Step DMCA Submission Guide

1. Open Meta's official Intellectual Property Reporting Portal: facebook.com/help/contact/1758255661104383.
2. Select Copyright.
3. Choose "I am the copyright owner" (or *Authorized Representative*).
4. Fill out your contact information: Full Name, Address, Email.
5. Provide details of the copyrighted work:

• State: *"Selfie photograph captured by me."*
• Upload the original high-resolution photo file from your phone camera roll to prove ownership.

1. Provide the location of the infringing content:

• Paste the direct URL of the Facebook group post or exact group link.
• Attach a screenshot showing the post inside the group.

1. Complete the Electronic Signature and click Submit.

*Processing Window*: Meta's Intellectual Property team processes valid DMCA takedown notices within 24 to 72 hours. When Meta executes a DMCA removal, the photo is deleted from the group, and the group admins receive an IP violation notice.

Method 2: Reporting Facebook Bullying, Harassment & Privacy Violations

If the post does not contain a selfie (preventing a DMCA claim), report the post for violating Meta's Community Standards on Bullying, Harassment, and Personal Data Exposure (Doxxing).

What Violates Meta's Policies?

• Doxxing: Publishing home addresses, phone numbers, workplace details, or Social Security numbers.
• Harassment: Target posts designed to incite public mockery, threats, or harassment.
• Non-Consensual Intimate Media: Sharing private text messages containing intimate details or explicit images.

Step-by-Step Reporting Guide

1. Have a trusted friend (or yourself) locate the post inside the group.
2. Click the three dots (...) in the top-right corner of the post.
3. Select Report Post.
4. Choose Bullying or Harassment (or *Privacy Violation / Personal Information*).
5. Follow the prompts to specify that the post targets a private individual.
6. Submit the report.

*Tip*: Multiple independent reports filed against the same post increase automated prioritization in Meta's moderation queue.

Method 3: Legal Remedies & Defamation Analysis

If a post contains false statements of fact that cause documented harm (job termination, relationship destruction, severe emotional distress), legal remedies may be available:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                    OPINION vs. ACTIONABLE DEFAMATION                    │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Protected Opinion (NOT Actionable Defamation)                           │
│ • "He was boring on our date."                                          │
│ • "I felt like he was a red flag."                                      │
│ • "He is creepy."                                                       │
├─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┤
│ Actionable Defamation (False Statements of Fact)                        │
│ • "He has a criminal record for sexual assault" (when false).          │
│ • "He gave me an STD intentionally" (when false).                      │
│ • "He stole $2,000 from my purse" (when false).                         │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

Legal Options to Consider:

1. Formal Attorney Cease & Desist Notice: A specialized internet reputation attorney can send a formal Cease and Desist demand letter to identified group admins or poster handles, demanding immediate deletion under threat of civil litigation.
2. John Doe Subpoena Lawsuit: If the poster is anonymous, an attorney can file a "John Doe" defamation lawsuit and issue a legal subpoena to Meta Platforms, Inc. to compel disclosure of the poster's IP address, email, and phone number.

What NOT to Do (Avoiding Escalation)

1. Do NOT Comment in the Group Thread: Entering the group thread to defend yourself or argue validates the post, causes notification spikes to thousands of members, and generates more negative comments.
2. Do NOT Send Threatening Direct Messages to Posters: Sending aggressive DMs to group members gives them screenshot material to post as "proof" of hostile behavior.
3. Do NOT Share Screenshots Publicly: Posting screenshots on public Instagram or Facebook feeds spreads the post beyond the private group to your general network.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sue the AWDTSG Facebook group admin?

Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act generally protects platform operators and group admins from civil liability for third-party comments posted by members. However, individual posters who create false, defamatory statements can be held personally liable in civil court.

How long does Meta take to process a DMCA copyright removal?

Meta's legal IP department typically processes valid DMCA takedowns within 24 to 72 hours. Once processed, the photo is deleted from the group post immediately.

Will the group poster know I filed a DMCA claim?

When Meta executes a DMCA takedown, it sends an automated notice to the user who uploaded the photo stating that the content was removed due to a copyright claim. The notice includes the copyright holder's contact name provided on the form.

AWDTSG Removal Protocol Checklist

• [ ] Document everything: Save clear screenshots of the post, comments, and group URL.
• ] Determine photo ownership: If the photo is a selfie, submit a **DMCA Copyright Takedown** at [facebook.com/help/contact/1758255661104383.
• [ ] Report doxxing or phone number leaks under Meta Community Standards (Bullying/Harassment).
• [ ] Do NOT reply or comment inside the group thread.
• [ ] Consult an internet defamation attorney if false factual claims cause career or severe personal damage.

Related Personal Safety & Privacy Guides

• How to Delete Dating Apps (Tinder, Bumble, Hinge): Step-by-step guide for closing dating app profiles.
• FaceCheck.ID Opt-Out Guide: How to remove facial recognition matches from online photo databases.
• PimEyes Opt-Out Guide: How to opt out of public reverse image search engines.
• Remove Home Address from the Internet: Protect your residential address from public data aggregators.
• Complete Data Broker Removal Guide: Master framework for scrubbing your personal information from people search sites.
• Explore more step-by-step guides in the Blog Index or use the OfflistMe Opt-Out Directory.

Related Guides

• What is a Data Broker? (Complete Guide): Comprehensive foundational guide on data broker networks and legal opt-out mechanisms.
• OfflistMe Data Removal Plans & Pricing: Learn how OfflistMe generates instant privacy opt-out requests across major data brokers.

Understanding AWDTSG and Facebook Group Privacy Architecture

"Are We Dating the Same Guy?" (AWDTSG) groups exist across hundreds of cities and geographic regions on Facebook. Understanding how these private groups handle your data is essential context for removing posts about you.

How AWDTSG Groups Technically Work

AWDTSG groups operate as closed/private Facebook Groups, which means:

• Non-members cannot see posts: Your photo and profile information shared in the group is technically visible only to approved group members.
• Group membership can be thousands of users: Popular AWDTSG chapters in major cities (NYC, LA, Chicago, London) often have 30,000–80,000 members — not a small, private circle.
• Screenshots spread to other platforms: Despite privacy settings, group members routinely screenshot posts and share them to Reddit, TikTok, Twitter/X, and smaller chat groups — bypassing Facebook's privacy controls entirely.
• Facebook does not guarantee privacy for group content: Group admins and moderators can view all content, and Facebook's systems can access content for policy enforcement.

Facebook's Architecture for Group Post Retention

Even after a post is removed from the AWDTSG group, residual data may persist:

• Facebook's server backups: Per Meta's Privacy Policy, deleted content may remain in encrypted backups for up to 90 days post-deletion.
• Off-platform screenshots: Any screenshot taken by group members before your post was removed persists on their personal devices and across whatever platform they shared it to.
• Google cache indexing (rarely): Private Facebook group posts are not typically indexed by Google due to Facebook's `noindex` directives, but screenshots posted to public platforms (Reddit, TikTok) may be indexed.

Your Legal Rights When Someone Posts About You Without Consent

Depending on the nature of the content posted, you may have legal recourse beyond a simple group post removal:

1. Right of Publicity (All U.S. States)

Most states recognize a common law or statutory right of publicity — the right to control the commercial use of your name, image, and likeness. While AWDTSG posts are generally not commercial in nature, repeated or monetized doxxing that leverages your image without consent may trigger right-of-publicity claims.

2. Defamation Law (False Statements of Fact)

If a post in an AWDTSG group contains false statements of fact about you (e.g., falsely claiming you have a specific criminal record, a disease, or engaged in specific illegal conduct), this may constitute civil defamation:

• Libel: Written defamatory statements (text posts)
• Slander: Spoken defamatory statements (voice notes or live video)

To pursue a defamation claim, you generally must show: (1) a false statement of fact, (2) publication to third parties, (3) fault (negligence or actual malice), and (4) harm to your reputation.

3. Privacy Torts — False Light & Intrusion

Several states (California, New York, Texas) recognize privacy torts including:

• False light: Portraying someone in a false and highly offensive way even if the individual statements aren't technically false
• Public disclosure of private facts: Sharing genuinely private information that a reasonable person would find highly offensive to publicize

4. Cyberstalking & Harassment Statutes

If posts are part of a coordinated campaign targeting you repeatedly across multiple platforms, this may constitute cyberstalking under 18 U.S.C. § 2261A (federal statute) or applicable state cyberstalking laws.

5. CCPA Data Rights (California Residents)

If identifying personal information (your full name + photos) was posted and subsequently collected or processed by any platform operating as a data broker, California residents can demand deletion under CCPA § 1798.105.

What to Do If Screenshots Spread Beyond Facebook

If your photo or information has already been screenshot and shared to external platforms:

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I force an AWDTSG group to remove a post about me?

You cannot directly force the group to remove content — but you have escalating options: (1) contact the member who posted directly, (2) report to group admins, (3) report to Facebook as a Terms of Service violation, and (4) send a formal legal cease-and-desist letter if the content is defamatory or violates your privacy rights.

Can AWDTSG posts affect my professional reputation?

Yes. If your name, employer, or professional profile was included in the post, colleagues may encounter the content. Google does not typically index private Facebook groups, but screenshots shared to public platforms (Reddit, Twitter) can appear in professional name searches.

Should I contact the person who posted or report anonymously?

Report to Facebook and group admins first to preserve evidence before direct contact. Contacting the poster directly may cause them to escalate or share the content more widely. Always report first, document everything, and consult an attorney before any direct contact if the content is defamatory or threatening.

How long does Facebook take to respond to privacy report requests?

Facebook's standard response window for privacy-related reports is 24–72 hours for high-priority cases (doxxing, threats, intimate image abuse). General privacy violation reports may take up to 7 business days. If Facebook dismisses your report, you can appeal via the Oversight Board at `oversightboard.com`.