"Revenge Porn" (H 7537, S 2540)

Another part of the Attorney General's package of computer crimes legislation was a bill to make the simple sharing online of certain images a crime. In February and March, the ACLU testified before the House (H 7537) and Senate (S 2540) Judiciary committees, respectively, that the legislation would criminalize the retweeting or reposting online of nude images -- including newsworthy images like those disseminated from Abu Ghraib without the direct consent of the person in the image. The prohibition applied even if the picture was initially taken and shared consensually. In addition, the legislation contained no requirement that sharing the images actually cause harm or emotional distress to anybody. As a result, the legislation made a criminal out of any person who shared online even newsworthy images. The Senate approved the legislation in May, as they have done for the last few years; the House followed in June. Recognizing the significant First Amendment implications of this legislation, and following requests from the ACLU, the New England First Amendment Coalition, the RI Press Association and the Media Coalition, Governor Raimondo vetoed this legislation. Read her veto letter here.