San Francisco - California governor Jerry Brown has signed into law a ban on so-called “revenge porn,” making it illegal to post nude pictures online of someone else without permission and with intent to humiliate them.
Brown signed the bill into law on Tuesday night. Senate Bill 255 provides for up to six months in jail and a $1 000 (about R10 000) fine for people “convicted of illegally distributing private images with the intent to harass or annoy.”
The bill is an attempt to combat the rising number of unauthorised pictures of ex-girlfriends posted to online porn sites by jilted former lovers. Hackers are also known to post stolen pictures on line and then charge victims hefty fees to remove them.
“I want to thank Governor Brown for recognising that this bill was needed. Until now, there was no tool for law enforcement to protect victims,” said the bill's sponsor Senator Anthony Cannella in a statement. “Too many have had their lives upended because of an action of another that they trusted.” - Sapa-dpa