January 5, 2004
A law against "video voyeurism"
Two Florida lawmakers want to update state law on video voyeurism to combat what they see as a growing problem of privacy invasion, according to TBO.com.
State Senator Dave Aronberg, Democrat West Palm Beach, has introduced Senate Bill 284, which would close loopholes in state law to help combat video voyeurism. "Right now, we're using 20th century laws to battle a 21st century problem,'' he said.
Rep. John Stargel, R-Lakeland, is preparing companion legislation in the House.
Current voyeurism law, a section of the state's burglary and trespass statutes, makes it illegal to observe or record someone "with lewd, lascivious, or indecent intent'' in an area where the victim would expect privacy.
Voyeurism is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. The law was passed in 1998, before the minicam explosion.
Aronberg's bill would prohibit:
-- Secretly viewing, recording, or broadcasting images of another person for the purpose of entertainment, sexual arousal, profit, or abuse'' when the victim is in a location that "provides a reasonable expectation of privacy.''
-- Filming or recording "under or through" a person's clothing in those same circumstances.
-- Disseminating or selling such images.
Video voyeurism isn't always for the gratification of the person with the camera. Such images often are sold to any of thousands of Web sites. Aronberg's bill addresses those more modern motivations.
For other US legislation in the works, see related articles:
-- Newark legislature drafting law for camera phones and similar technology
-- Cellphone cameras ring warning bells
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