Victims of revenge porn will soon have another way to fight back against those who seek to profit from their personal images, thanks to a movement by federal and state law enforcement to treat companies that make money from releasing confidential communication as illegal enterprises.
Last week, the Federal Trade Commission announced a settlement with Craig Brittain, operator of IsAnybodyDown.com, one of the largest revenge porn sites. As part of the the settlement, Brittain posted a formal apology on his website and pledged to no longer post explicit images without the written consent of those involved. He also agreed to stop posting the names, ages, addresses, and phone numbers of those who were featured on the site.
California’s Attorney General Kamala Harris is also in the middle of prosecuting several revenge porn businesses for exploiting confidential communications. In San Diego, Kevin Bollaert was recently found guilty on multiple counts of identity theft and extortion relating to his site YouGotPosted.com.
Previously, California law only allowed victims of revenge porn to go after the person who initially received the confidential photos or videos. This left the operators of revenge porn sites free to cause shame and embarrassment for their victims with no fear of legal sanctions. In fact, many operators of revenge porn sites have profited by charging victims hundreds or even thousands of dollars to remove the offensive material.
How Can We Help?
Unfortunately, distributing explicit photos of an ex is a common tactic used by spouses who are upset about a pending divorce case. Sharing intimate images is typically part of a larger attempt to shame the victim while damaging her credibility in regards to issues such as child custody or the division of marital assets.
If you believe you have been the victim of a revenge porn attack, it is best to discuss how to proceed with your Pasadena divorce attorney. Please call our office at (626) 683-8113 or email us at info@PasadenaLawOffice.com if you are in need of legal representation.