N.Y. Bill Would Outlaw Airdrops of Unsolicited Explicit Images

N.Y. Bill Would Outlaw Airdrops of Unsolicited Explicit Images

NEW YORK — New York’s City Council is weighing a measure to make it illegal to take part in “cyber flashing” using technology like Apple’s AirDrop to offer up unsolicited explicit images to recipients.

The new piece of legislation would add language to the city code that would make it “unlawful for a person, with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person, to send by electronic device an unsolicited intimate image.”

It is already a misdemeanor in New York state to harass someone by phone, mail or other forms of written communication. But the statute doesn’t address the issue of visual images.

With New York City’s measure, cyber flashers could be punished with $1,000 fines and up to a year in jail for offenses.

AirDrop is specific to iPhones and other Apple products. It uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to communicate over a short range to other devices, like other iPhones. Some Android-enabled devices have access to a similar feature called AirDroid.

With AirDrop, users can send images anonymously to others if the recipient’s phone is set to allow drops to “everyone” and if it is within 30 feet of the other device.

The only method to block anonymous images is to set the AirDrop feature only for use between contacts (which is the default setting from Apple) or to turn it off completely. AirDrop only identifies nearby phones by their nicknames.

One of the first reports of cyber flashing was in London in 2015, when a female commuter said she had received lewd photos via AirDrop. Since then, people in New York and other cities have posted comments on Reddit and Twitter about how explicit pictures have showed up on their devices — oftentimes while on crowded subways.

New York City's legislation, which was introduced to City Council last week, was referred to its Committee on Public Safety. If passed by City Council and signed into law by the mayor, the measure would go into effect within 60 days.

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

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 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.

Sex Work CEO Debuts Upgraded 'GPTease' AI Assistant

Sex Work CEO has introduced the new Canvas in-chat editing feature to its AI-powered, NSFW text generator, GPTease.

UPDATED: Supreme Court Rules Against Adult Industry in Pivotal Texas AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court on Friday issued its decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, striking a blow against the online adult industry by ruling in support of Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

North Carolina Passes Extreme Bill Targeting Adult Sites

The North Carolina state legislature this week ratified a bill that would impose new regulations that industry observers have warned could push adult websites and platforms to ban most adult creators and content.

Supreme Court Ruling Due Friday in FSC v. Paxton AV Case

The U.S. Supreme Court will rule on Friday in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton, the adult industry trade association's challenge to Texas’ controversial age verification law, HB 1181.

Show More