California Gov. Jerry Brown signed a bill that would punish people who publish naked photos of ex-lovers on the Internet without their knowledge with possible jail time, according to the Associated Press.
The practice, commonly referred to as "Revenge Porn," has become more prevalent in recent years as websites have been founded for the sole purpose of allowing people to post intimate pictures of their exes.
Those who break the new law will be subject to a fine of up to $1,000 as well as a maximum jail sentence of six months, according to the Los Angeles Times.
"Until now, there was no tool for law enforcement to protect victims," state Sen. Anthony Canella, the law's author, said in a press release. "Too many have had their lives upended because of an action of another that they trusted."
When the bill was first announced it became slightly controversial as many, including the American Civil Liberties Union, worried that the law would violate a person's constitutional right to free speech. A similar law was considered in Florida but was ultimately voted down because of similar concerns, according to the Daily Mail.
Holly Jacobs, the founder of a campaign called End Revenge Porn, worked alongside Canella in drafting the law. Jacobs had personal experience with revenge porn when an ex-boyfriend posted photos of her on the Internet after their break-up, according to the Daily Mail.
I have made every effort to ensure that it is worded in such a way as to provide the appropriate protection to victims while being careful not to impose on First Amendment rights," Jacobs said about the law in an email to Buzzfeed. "If this bill ultimately becomes a law, I am confident and excited about the prospect that other states will follow suit and pass their own bills to outlaw revenge porn."
