Sending or storing naked pictures? You might be breaking the law
People search sites scour public records to get information on you. This includes your full name, address, phone number, family history, police records, relationships, employment information and more. Tap or click here for instructions on removing your information from these invasive sites.
If you or someone else has ever taken a suggestive photo, that could also be floating around the internet. You must be very careful when sharing these.
It can get worse. Depending on where you live, sharing or even storing your most private photos, even with people you trust, can land you in legal trouble.
What is considered obscene?
According to Cornell Law’s Legal Information Institute, obscenity is a category of speech unprotected by the First Amendment.
Here’s what obscenity entails:
- Lewd, filthy or disgusting words or pictures.
- Indecent materials or depictions, unless they’re part of speech or artistic expressions (at which point there are still restrictions).
- Commercial pornography is protected by the First Amendment as long as it doesn’t break obscenity laws or depict minors.
Each state has its own laws governing obscene materials. U.S. courts use a three-pronged test, commonly referred to as the Miller test, to determine if a given material is obscene. Obscenity is defined as anything that fits the criteria of the Miller test, which may include visual depictions, spoken words or written text.
Obscenity is one of the most controversial areas of First Amendment law.
RELATED: Simple ways to hide your risque or otherwise personal photos
How does this affect your private photos?
What you store on your phone or computer should be fine, but things can get murky once you share it with someone else or simply transfer it to another device. Even “sexting,” or sending lewd photos to someone, could get you in trouble.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Social Catfish
It’s a fact that Big Tech companies collect your data to build an online profile and track your shopping and browsing habits. It doesn’t end there, however. Other companies sell your information to anyone interested.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Radaris
People search sites have been around for a while. They provide information on more than just phone numbers. You can find public records on anyone without having much to go on but their name. That’s what makes them so scary.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from USA People Search
While tech companies collect your data to build an online profile and track your shopping and browsing habits, other companies sell it to whoever is interested. Whether those interested parties are trying to scam you or serve you with ads, privacy is not something you can take for granted.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from PeopleSmart
When was the last time you searched for yourself online? There’s likely plenty of accurate information about you floating around the web that you didn’t know about, such as your full name, address, phone number, family history, employment information and more.
How to do a free background check online
Suppose a new guy moves into your neighborhood. Let’s call him Bobby Smith. Before his moving van is even unpacked, Bobby introduces himself. He’s friendly and good-humored, and he says you should come over for a barbecue sometime. So you decide to find out more about him — his career, his past, anything suspicious.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Apollo.io
While tech companies collect your data to build an online profile and track your shopping and browsing habits, other companies sell your personal information to whoever is interested. This can include scammers, hackers, con artists and crazy exes.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from TruePeopleSearch
Your personal information is up for grabs by anyone who wants it. People search sites gather data from public sources such as court, census, marriage and military records.
Anyone from a jealous ex to a scammer can use people search sites to find out more about you. It’s a free for all. Fortunately, you can fight back. Tap or click here for our growing list of people search sites with detailed instructions on opting out.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Spokeo
People search sites post your personal information online. While they advertise their services as being ideal for locating long-lost friends and family, the truth is that a hacker or scammer can just as easily access the data.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from peekyou
Companies are collecting data on you if you use the internet. This information targets you with ads or is sold to third parties.
Getting hit with an ad that relates to something you were searching for is creepy, but sometimes they get it wrong. This can be damaging to your mental health. For example, if you’re a recovering alcoholic, you don’t need to see ads for local bars. Tap or click here to opt out of advertising for any topic on Google-based platforms such as Gmail, YouTube and Instagram.
Opt-Out Tuesday: How to remove your info from Private Eye
People search sites collect and sell every detail they can get their digital hands on: Your name, address, past and present phone numbers, birthday, education and employment histories, property records, financial details, police records and more.
Opt-out Tuesday: How to remove yourself from PeopleFinders
Your personal information floats around the internet like shark bait. Anyone can find your email address, phone number or home address. That’s why you should remove yourself from people search websites like PeopleFinders.
Want to erase yourself from the internet? Here’s how
Ever get that eerie feeling somebody’s watching you? I hate to break the bad news, but you have a ton of secret admirers. Tech companies, advertisers, snoops and enterprising hackers are all trying to get their hands on as much of your info as possible.
4 ways to find anyone’s cellphone number online
How many times a day do you get a call from a number you don’t recognize?
If you’re inundated with robocalls, you’re not alone. You can’t make them stop altogether, but a few simple steps can go a long way in silencing the noise. Tap or click here for my best tricks to put an end to annoying robocalls.
Delete yourself from this creepy site that collects email addresses, phone numbers and much more
There are many pieces of information that cybercriminals and scammers are after. Your personal information, Social Security number, search history and banking details are all valuable commodities.
By stealing your credit/debit card details, criminals could clean out your financial accounts. But with your private and personal information, they can steal your identity and cause even more damage.
2020 in review: Our top privacy and security tips
Between the worldwide pandemic and the scary stories of murder hornets, 2020’s been a frightening year. It’s easy to feel scared in uncertain times, which is why we put special care into our security and privacy tips this year. After all, you’ve got enough to worry about — why feel uncertain about your security and privacy, too?
Remove Google Search results you don’t want people to find
We all have things we’d prefer that strangers didn’t know. What happens when those private facts and photos end up online?
Keeping tabs on yourself through search engines is your first line of defense. If you know the right ways to search and what to look for, you can find sensitive personal info you would have never known was public. Here’s how to perform an exhaustive search.