N.Y. Bill Would Outlaw Airdrops of Unsolicited Explicit Images

N.Y. Bill Would Outlaw Airdrops of Unsolicited Explicit Images

NEW YORK — New York’s City Council is weighing a measure to make it illegal to take part in “cyber flashing” using technology like Apple’s AirDrop to offer up unsolicited explicit images to recipients.

The new piece of legislation would add language to the city code that would make it “unlawful for a person, with the intent to harass, annoy or alarm another person, to send by electronic device an unsolicited intimate image.”

It is already a misdemeanor in New York state to harass someone by phone, mail or other forms of written communication. But the statute doesn’t address the issue of visual images.

With New York City’s measure, cyber flashers could be punished with $1,000 fines and up to a year in jail for offenses.

AirDrop is specific to iPhones and other Apple products. It uses Wi-Fi and Bluetooth to communicate over a short range to other devices, like other iPhones. Some Android-enabled devices have access to a similar feature called AirDroid.

With AirDrop, users can send images anonymously to others if the recipient’s phone is set to allow drops to “everyone” and if it is within 30 feet of the other device.

The only method to block anonymous images is to set the AirDrop feature only for use between contacts (which is the default setting from Apple) or to turn it off completely. AirDrop only identifies nearby phones by their nicknames.

One of the first reports of cyber flashing was in London in 2015, when a female commuter said she had received lewd photos via AirDrop. Since then, people in New York and other cities have posted comments on Reddit and Twitter about how explicit pictures have showed up on their devices — oftentimes while on crowded subways.

New York City's legislation, which was introduced to City Council last week, was referred to its Committee on Public Safety. If passed by City Council and signed into law by the mayor, the measure would go into effect within 60 days.

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

FSC Publishes Analysis of Federal Trade Commission Event Promoting AV

Free Speech Coalition (FSC) has published an analysis of a Federal Trade Commission (FTC) event held this week that promoted age verification among other forms of speech regulation.

GirlsDoPorn Owner Michael Pratt Pleads Guilty to Sex Trafficking

Michael Pratt, former owner of the rogue website GirlsDoPorn, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California on Thursday to sex trafficking and conspiracy to commit sex trafficking charges, according to a report by City News Service.

Master Nico Relaunches Site Through YourPaysitePartner

Master Nico has relaunched his official website through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Federal Judge Grants Partial Halt of Florida AV Law

The United States District Court for the Northern District of Florida, Tallahassee Division, has granted a preliminary injunction against HB 3, the state's age verification law, as a lawsuit filed by two online trade associations challenging the law makes its way through the courts.

Aylo Releases Statement on Suspending Access to Pornhub in France

Technology and media company Aylo, which operates adult sites including Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube, has released a public statement regarding its decision to block access to its sites in France.

Pineapple Support to Host Wellness Sessions at Bucharest Summit

Pineapple Support is hosting free group and one-on-one therapy sessions at Bucharest Summit, June 3-5.

Pornhub Blocks Access in France in Response to SREN Law

Pornhub parent company Aylo has opted to block access to its sites in France rather than comply with age verification requirements under the country’s Security and Regulation of the Digital Space (SREN) law.

ASACP Highlights Study on Parental Controls

The Association of Sites Advocating Child Protection (ASACP) is highlighting the results of a study on the underutilization of parental controls.

Sydney Screams Launches New Site Through Grooby's Blue.xxx

Sydney Screams has launched her new membership site, SydneyScreams.xxx, through Grooby's website management company Blue.xxx.

Mistress Mystii Is LoyalFans' 'Featured Creator' for June

LoyalFans has named Mistress Mystii as its Featured Creator for June.

Show More