> They're not illegal in the US. So maybe your incorrect assumptions are why it is confusing for you?

You need to be careful about this. In many jurisdictions possession of such an image is a "strict liability" crime and you are guilty--even if that nude image is of your own child.

Now, normally this isn't a big deal as humans in the system normally treat these images as they were intended.

However, add a nasty divorce into the mix and you can wind up in very deep trouble.

Didn't say or imply that there weren't consequences.

If you aren't rich enough for appeals court then none of your rights matter and it is helpful to be aware of what the collective conscious believes is legal / illegal.