‘Revenge Porn’ Pictures Are Outlawed In California

A bill has been passed in California banning “revenge porn” in the golden state. The governor signed the document into law, which now makes it illegal to post explicit pictures of people online without their permission.

The punishment for sharing naked images of exes on the internet in order to humiliate them or get some kind of revenge will be up to six months in jail and a $1,500 fine.

In the past the only recourse that victims of revenge porn had was to sue the person who posted the picture. Sen. Anthony Cannella, who authored the bill, said: “Until now, there was no tool for law enforcement to protect victims,” continuing, “Too many have had their lives upended because of an action of another that they trusted.”

Not everyone though, is in favor of the bill. The American Civil Liberties Union put forward the point of view that the new bill actually restricts the right to free speech for internet users.

Nick Warner, the Legislative director of the California State Sheriff’s Association, welcomed the new bill saying: “It’s happening with increasing frequency. I didn’t even know what the phrase meant a year ago.”

He went on to talk about why the issue needed to be addressed: “We had some victims come forward and we did some research and we felt it was something important to address.”

A campaign called End Revenge Porn, run by Holly Jacobs, is also trying to put a stop to the practice of revenge porn. She herself was a victim when an ex-boyfriend posted naked images of her for all to see on the world wide web.

She wrote in an email: “I have made every effort to ensure that it is worded in such a way as to provide the appropriate protection to victims while being careful not to impose on First Amendment rights.”

Jacobs continued in the email about her hope that other states will follow suit and introduce the law: “If this bill ultimately becomes a law, I am confident and excited about the prospect that other states will follow suit and pass their own bills to outlaw revenge porn.”

What do you think about the new revenge porn law in California? Do you think it is a good thing? Or do you agree with the American Civil Liberties Union that it prevents free speech? Share your comments in the feed below.