WASHINGTON-A bill that would make invasive use of camera phones and other imaging devices on federal property a crime is headed to the House floor.
Last Wednesday, the House Judiciary Committee unanimously passed the Video Voyeurism Prevention Act on voice vote. The Senate last year passed a similar bill sponsored by Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio).
“There are gaps in current law that can make it hard to prosecute people who take pictures of others in compromised situations,” said Rep. Michael Oxley (R-Ohio), sponsor of the House bill and a former FBI agent. “Victims need protection against this intrusive technology.”
The Oxley bill outlaws video voyeurism on federal property, such as national parks and public buildings. Violators of the federal statute are subject to a fine, up to one year in prison, or both. Oxley said the measure is also intended to be a model for states that either have not enacted their own laws against video voyeurism or want to strengthen laws already on the books.
“This bill applies to camera cell phones, which seem to be getting a lot of attention lately,” Oxley said. “The law needs to keep up with technology.”
The date for a House vote has not been scheduled.
As camera phones and other electronic devices become smaller, countries like Korea are also finding the need to address privacy issues.
