N.Y. Senators Want To Join the Fight Against 'Revenge Porn'

NEW YORK — A group of New York lawmakers, motivated by the anti-revenge porn laws passed in California and New Jersey, have drafted similar legislation to combat the new form of virtual harassment within state bounds.

If passed, those convicted of distributing explicit photos of a person without their consent will face a misdemeanor charge, punishable by a $1,000 fine and/or one year in jail.  

Assemblyman Edward C. Braunstein, a Democrat from Bayside, and Sen. Joseph A. Griffo, an upstate Republican, have issued a press release detailing a framework for the new measure. Their version ups the maximum fine to $30,000.

“Disseminating sexual explicit images that were shared with an expectation of privacy can cause lasting damage to victims and should be a crime,” Braunstein said. “Passage of this legislation would make it clear that New Yorkers will not allow this type of harassment to continue. With the proliferation of cell phones and social networking, this problem will only get worse if we do not take immediate action.”

He notes that, at present, New York residents victimized by revenge porn have few and ineffective options — namely, to sue the person distributing the photos for invasion of privacy.

“Criminalization is preferable to civil suits by victims because civil suits do not deter those who upload or disclose new images after a civil suit has ended. Furthermore, a lengthy trial is emotionally exhausting and prohibitively expensive,” said Mary Anne Franks, an associate professor of law who helped draft the legislation.

Gov. Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 255 into law just Wednesday, making revenge porn a criminal offense in California. The nation has taken note: in addition to the new anti-revenge porn push in New York, a Pennsylvania state senator announced yesterday that she too plans to strengthen online sexual harassment laws by targeting those responsible for revenge porn.

Hunter Moore, infamous operator of revenge porn site IsAnyoneUp, has posted an antagonistic YouTube clip in response to the recent passage of SB 255.

“Basically, this law doesn’t do shit. I don’t know what people are stoked about because it doesn’t do anything,” he says in the clip. He argues that the Communications Decency Act eliminates site owners’ liability for the content on their site, making it a moot law.    

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

2025 XBIZ Amsterdam Website Launches With Call for Speakers

XBIZ is pleased to announce that the website for its annual European conference, XBIZ Amsterdam, is now live.

NC Governor Vetoes Bill Targeting Adult, Could Face Override

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein today vetoed a bill imposing new regulations that adult industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

25,000 Sign Petition to Legalize Pornography in Ukraine

An OnlyFans model’s petition to decriminalize pornography in Ukraine has amassed the 25,000 signatures required for official consideration by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

WannaCollab Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

WannaCollab has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

FSC Unpacks SCOTUS Age Verification Ruling in Webinar

The Free Speech Coalition conducted a public webinar Tuesday to help adult industry stakeholders understand the Supreme Court’s recent decision in FSC v. Paxton, and its potential implications.

UK Lawmaker Calls for Appointment of 'Porn Minister'

Baroness Gabrielle Bertin, the Conservative member of Parliament who recently convened a new anti-pornography task force, is calling for the appointment of a “minister for porn,” according to British news outlet The Guardian.

FSC Toasts Jeffrey Douglas for 30 Years of Service

n the very same evening when the adult industry was hit hard by the Supreme Court ruling supporting Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181, members of the Free Speech Coalition board, staff and supporters gathered to celebrate Jeffrey Douglas’ 30 years as board chair — a fitting reflection of his reputation as an eternal optimist.

TTS Opens UK Testing Location

Talent Testing Service (TTS) has opened a new U.K. location in Ware, Hertfordshire.

FSC: Age-Verification Laws Go Into Effect in South Dakota, Georgia, Wyoming on July 1

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published a statement regarding new age verification laws set to go into effect tomorrow in South Dakota, Georgia, and Wyoming.

FSC Responds to Supreme Court Decision on Texas AV Law

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has released a statement responding to last week's Supreme Court decision on FSC v. Paxton, the Texas age verification law.

Show More