A Texas state senator, backed by the founder of the popular dating app Bumble, is pushing to criminalize unsolicited nude or indecent photos in Texas. The law would apply to images sent over text, social media, and dating apps.
Bumble founder, Whitney Herd, argued before the Texas House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee, "If indecent exposure is a crime on the streets, then why is it not on your phone or computer?” The bill, drafted by State Rep. Morgan Meyer (R-Dallas) and co-authored by Rep Nicole Collier (D-Fort Worth), would criminalize sending photos of: "(A) a person engaging in sexual conduct or with the person's intimate parts exposed; or (B) covered genitals of a male person that are in a discernibly turgid state." Such photos would be a Class C misdemeanor if sent without the express consent of the recipient. Offenders could receive a fine of up to $500.
On the other side, some First Amendment attorneys argue that the bill is overly broad and could violate free speech freedoms by criminalizing communications "sent for a legitimate purpose."
Additional Resources
To read the Texas bill, click here.
For the latest status of the bill, click here.
Comments (0)