The invention and proliferation of the smart phone could be one of the best and worst things to ever happen to the human race. On the good side of the argument is the concept of people having access to information anywhere and everywhere they need it. From driving directions and GPS services to the online ordering of everything from dinner to movie tickets, the smart phone has made our lives so much easier. On the other side of the argument, there are some negative aspects to the technology. And this negative is mostly due to the proliferation of photo taking along with the growth of social media. Why some people think this is a good thing, there are many that think it is a real negative. As people become more comfortable with picture taking on their smart phones and then the easy uploading of photos to social media, the concept of privacy and security tend to slip away. In fact, many people don’t even realize how far that image that they just posted has really gone into the public eye until it is way too late. And when we talk about picture taking, we aren’t talking about photos of your latest meal or cute pet, but rather the more sensitive types of photos that we will refer to as “personal porn” photos that have become so popular nowadays.
Unfortunately, what starts as some harmless flirting with a boyfriend with some “private” photos, can quickly turn sideways into a very public and embarrassing display of affection. And the worst part is, it can happen without you even realizing it until it’s too late. Most of the time, this happens when relationships end and there is bitterness between the two parties. That is when the “ex” decides to get back at the person and decides to post all of the sensitive, personal photos online. This is called “revenge porn” and according to a recent article has become an online epidemic. It has been so bad that Florida legislators are looking to pass a bill making revenge porn illegal. In Texas a class action suit was filed against a revenge porn site called Texxxan.com. While there are current civil laws on the books in many states prohibiting the posting of these types of revenge photos, there still aren’t any real criminal repercussions for this type of activity, but don’t worry those will almost certainly be coming soon.
So the next time you feel like getting back at your ex and posting that private photo, think twice, because instead of getting that sweet satisfaction you were hoping for you might end up in jail needing a bail bond. Read the original story below.
Original story: Criminalizing “revenge porn”
Written by: Eric Granof
The invention and proliferation of the smart phone could be one of the best and worst things to ever happen to the human race. On the good side of the argument is the concept of people having access to information anywhere and everywhere they need it. From driving directions and GPS services to the online ordering of everything from dinner to movie tickets, the smart phone has made our lives so much easier. On the other side of the argument, there are some negative aspects to the technology. And this negative is mostly due to the proliferation of photo taking along with the growth of social media. Why some people think this is a good thing, there are many that think it is a real negative. As people become more comfortable with picture taking on their smart phones and then the easy uploading of photos to social media, the concept of privacy and security tend to slip away. In fact, many people don’t even realize how far that image that they just posted has really gone into the public eye until it is way too late. And when we talk about picture taking, we aren’t talking about photos of your latest meal or cute pet, but rather the more sensitive types of photos that we will refer to as “personal porn” photos that have become so popular nowadays.
Unfortunately, what starts as some harmless flirting with a boyfriend with some “private” photos, can quickly turn sideways into a very public and embarrassing display of affection. And the worst part is, it can happen without you even realizing it until it’s too late. Most of the time, this happens when relationships end and there is bitterness between the two parties. That is when the “ex” decides to get back at the person and decides to post all of the sensitive, personal photos online. This is called “revenge porn” and according to a recent article has become an online epidemic. It has been so bad that Florida legislators are looking to pass a bill making revenge porn illegal. In Texas a class action suit was filed against a revenge porn site called Texxxan.com. While there are current civil laws on the books in many states prohibiting the posting of these types of revenge photos, there still aren’t any real criminal repercussions for this type of activity, but don’t worry those will almost certainly be coming soon.
So the next time you feel like getting back at your ex and posting that private photo, think twice, because instead of getting that sweet satisfaction you were hoping for you might end up in jail needing a bail bond. Read the original story below.
Original story: Criminalizing “revenge porn”
Written by: Eric Granof