TALLAHASSEE – A Florida bill would broaden where people can reasonably expect privacy and raise penalties for digital voyeurism.
Senate Bill 1536 would revise the definition of the term “reasonable expectation of privacy” relating to the offense of digital voyeurism.
It would add privately fenced yards to the places in which a person would believe that they could fully disrobe — without being concerned they are being viewed, recorded or broadcasted by another. Right now, it is illegal to record someone in a home, bathroom, bedroom, changing room, fitting room and tanning booth.
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Sen. Jason Pizzo, the bill’s sponsor, said this comes amid growing concerns about people being recorded in their back yards without their permission, what he calls a “gray area” in the law right now.
“All of my neighbors at home and here in Tallahassee have cameras, but we all have a sort of agreement and expectation that they’re pointed at areas and lanes and side areas and alleyways for intrusion to their property, not to spy and be creepy with each other,” Pizzo said during last month’s Senate Committee on Criminal Justice.
According to the bill, penalties would increase. First-time offenses would be classified as first-degree misdemeanors with repeat offenders facing up to third-degree felonies. The bill would add enhanced penalties when an offender is in a position of authority or trust, such as a caregiver or employer.
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Orlando resident Lisa Silver told News 6 she supports stiffer penalties.
“I think that’s great. I mean, I think we obviously need it,” Silver said. “So, I think it would be awesome to have a law, especially for women. I’m a woman and, yeah, I don’t think anybody has a right to, well, right now everybody thinks they have a right to video anything, so I think that would be very helpful.”
The Senate Rules Committee to hear the bill on Tuesday. If it becomes law it would take effect July 1. For more information on the bill, click here.