The ACLU of Rhode Island raised serious concerns about a “computer crime” bill approved by House Judiciary Committee today that would criminalize the electronic dissemination of certain images even if they were taken with the knowledge and consent of the subject. The bill, aimed at combating “revenge porn,” would levy felony charges against individuals, including members of the media, who disseminate certain “sexual images” without permission of the subject even if the image was initially shared with the subject’s consent and sharing the image did not cause harm to the subject.

The bill was one of three computer crime bills approved by the House Judiciary Committee today that could limit the First Amendment rights of the media and the public. A second bill would subject whistleblowers to the same felony penalties as a person who engages in corporate espionage if they obtain information through “unauthorized” computer access. The final bill would impose felony penalties and sex offender registration on any person who shares with minors broadly-defined “indecent material,” which could include films, art pieces, and even sex education materials.

ACLU executive director Steven Brown said in response to the committee’s approval of these bills: “While computer crimes deserve serious attention, these bills use bludgeons when carefully crafted legislation is called for. These overly broad bills could turn anyone -- from a doctor using the Internet to educate teenagers about sexual matters to a person sharing one of the infamous Anthony Weiner photos -- into a felon. We are hopeful that after further consideration these bills will not be approved by the House.”