TRENTON, N.J. (AP) – A New Jersey lawmaker wants to increase penalties for leaking a person’s private videos and photos – like the nude pictures of Jennifer Lawrence and other celebrities posted online earlier this year.
Democratic Senator Richard Codey recently introduced the measure and says people have a right to privacy and increasing the penalty could discourage violators. The bill stems from the August leak of more than 100 photos, including those of Lawrence, Kate Upton and others.
The measure makes the crime of taking or sharing photo or video of a person’s private parts a second-degree rather than a third-degree offense.
The new bill carries a penalty of three to five years in prison or a fine up to $150 000, or both. That’s up from a possible $15 000 fine under current law.
