FTC Bars Website Operator from 'Revenge Porn' Business in Settlement - East Idaho News
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FTC Bars Website Operator from ‘Revenge Porn’ Business in Settlement

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Thinkstock 012915 ComputerDark?  SQUARESPACE CACHEVERSION=1422566144007jrwasserman/iStock/Thinkstock(WASHINGTON) — The Federal Trade Commission has banned the operator of an alleged “revenge porn” website as part of a settlement after the operator allegedly illegally acquired and posted nude photographs and offered a fake “takedown” service.

The FTC accused Craig Brittain of using deception to obtain and post lewd photographs of women, then referring those women to another website he controlled, “where they were told they could have the pictures removed if they paid hundreds of dollars.”

“This behavior is not only illegal, but reprehensible,” Jessica Rich, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Consumer Protection, said in a statement. She added that “the illegally collected images and information will be deleted, and this individual can never return to the so-called ‘revenge porn’ business.”

Brittain allegedly obtained the photographs through different means, including by posing as a woman on Craigslist and offering nude photos in exchange for photos from other women. When women provided him with photos of themselves, Brittain allegedly posted them on his website without their knowledge or permission.

He is also accused of soliciting viewers of his site to submit more nude photos to the site, requiring “sensitive personal information” about the pictured women. Some women claimed they received unwelcome contact from strangers who received their information from the site.

The FTC claims that Brittain featured photographs of more than 1,000 individuals on his site. Under the terms of his settlement, he will permanently delete all images and personal information obtained during the time he operated the site, and he will be prohibited from sharing intimate photos or videos of individuals without their affirmative consent. He is also to be barred from misrepresenting how he will use personal information collected online.


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