Billions of photos are shared on popular mobile app, Snapchat, every day. The messaging network, used mainly by teens and young adults, allows users to add a lens graphic or doodle over their personal images and instantly share them to hundreds of followers. Once the company server detects the material has been viewed or has expired, the image evaporates after 10 seconds. Due to the self-destructing nature of the images, the quick and easy-to-use app is rumoured to be popular for sexting and the exchange of explicit images.
But like anything on the Web, quick fingers can screenshot anything. Reassurances from Snapchat that senders will be notified if the app detects a screen grab offer little consolation to users. As a result, British authorities have taken things a step further by issuing a severe warning to those thinking of saving the sexy snaps (authorities have also attempted to force apps with encryption capabilities, like Snapchat, to share private data them with them).
The Independent reports that users caught screen-grabbing images and sharing them without the owner’s consent could be sued and face jail time. Under U.K. copyright law, it is illegal to copy an image and make it available to the public without consent. The original owner can sue anyone who does this for copyright infringement.
In addition, those caught saving and sharing ‘raunchy’ snaps could be looking at a much more serious crime. Those convicted of violating Section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015 — which deems it an offence to disclose private sexual photographs and films with intent to cause distress — could face up to two years behind bars.
According to a Channel 4 News investigation, Generation Sex, the sharing of explicit pictures has become normal teenage behaviour in the U.K. “I get asked for naked pictures…at least two or three times a week,” one 15-year-old girl said.
Jon Brown of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) said the investigation uncovered a “very regular and normal” consumption of hardcore adult pornography by 13-16 year olds. He said the sharing of explicit sexual imagery via photos and video clips is now extremely normal, adding, “I think it’s important to recognise what was previously regarded as unusual, concerning, or sensationalist, now has in fact become the norm.”
While the U.K. government’s crackdown may be a step forward in punishing those guilty of sharing other people’s messages without their consent, what about those that go undetected among the billions shared each day? As a cautionary measure, it would be wise for users to think twice before sending images they wouldn’t want everyone to see.
This article (You Can Now Be Put in Jail For Taking A Screenshot With Your Phone) is free and open source. You have permission to republish this article under a Creative Commons license with attribution to Michaela Whitton and theAntiMedia.org. Anti-Media Radio airs weeknights at 11pm Eastern/8pm Pacific. If you spot a typo, email edits@theantimedia.org.
Fck the evil government! They are terrorists and murderers!
The entire government are evil treasonous criminals. The day of the next false flag using the nuke they stole in 2007 and blamed on Iran, America will be destroyed by Russia, China and the SCO. This is the war of Armageddon and you can know it is now because of Planet X and the toxic chemtrails that hide it every day. Planet X will end the war when it rips the earth apart again but 90% of Americans will be dead already. All planned by your evil government.
1. If the photograph is shared by the person who took it, with other Snapchat users, the person can not have a reasonable expectation of privacy, as they ARE SHARING IT.
Simply by sharing it, they are giving permission for it to be reproduced.
They are NOT just sharing it with other Snapchat users.
Before it is shared with ANYONE, it is being shared with the Snapchat service itself.
It is already being shared with other entities than the intended recipient.
2. Sharing sexties is not against the law. In the UK, even with the existence of Section 33 of the Criminal Justice and Courts Act 2015.
If a Snapchat user uploads a sexually explicit image taken by that user, anyone who willingly looks at said image is doing so WILLINGLY.
You cannot charge someone under that act, because someone who willingly is looking at sexually explicit images is NOT suffering distress.
Sure, if someone shares an image sent to only one person, with the intent of doing damage to the reputation of the author of the image, or causing stress, yes, they can be charged.
But simply sharing something that has already been shared publicly cannot land one behind bars.
Anyone uploading personal sexual images should expect them to get leaked anyway.
This is the internet for crying out loud.
Any court would agree. Unless it were something like a court in Iran or Saudi Arabia.
Nice sum up prophet. I have never used snapchat or the doodle – but – these young uns (apparently) get caught up in the sexting part…they just don’t realize that these pics will be around for ever, certainly not anything to be sent to jail over. Simply more gubberment spreading more control and fear.
Abundant,yes,normal,no. If a 13 yo is sending nasty pics, something went wrong in her life and she needs help,not protection from any consequences of what she’s doing. If an adult can be charged for even accidently seeing a naked pic of a minor on the net, said kid should at least face fines for lewdness.pass a law stating only 18 and up are allowed to post their filth anywhere in the net.
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I really wish “news” sites didn’t have to resort to clickbait. The law DOES NOT apply to screenshots taken with your phone by you.
Literally in this very article: “The Independent reports that users caught screen-grabbing images and sharing them without the owner’s consent could be sued and face jail time”.
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so your half-brother’s mate stopped making thousands-per-hour on her laptop? Go flush yourself down the plumbing at one of the Agency’s transgender bathrooms.