Online impersonators may pay a price when new law takes effect.

Most people are probably unaware if their images have been borrowed and used by others to create online identities or profiles, but there are others that have been humiliated or physically harmed.   

According to a News10 article, 'online impersonators have sent Twitter messages "signed" by celebrities, pretended to be someone else to send obscene e-mails, even subjected others to unwanted sexual advances by assuming their identity to post invitations on adult sites. In one example, a woman angry about her ex-husband's girlfriend pretended to be the girlfriend's daughter on an adult dating site, causing the daughter to receive lewd responses'.

California is now updating its impersonation laws making it a misdemeanor to assume someone else's identity to harm, intimidate, threaten or defraud. The new law takes effect on January 1, 2011.

Should your dating profile be linked to your personal identity?

Online dating is growing in popularity with an estimated 20 million Americans meeting potential love interests online.  A recent New York Times article discussed safety risks associated with online dating, mostly stemming from the ease at which people can misrepresent themselves online.  According to the article, online daters are encountering married people pretending to be single or, worse, sexual predators and convicted felons” and that “plenty of crime stories begin with two people skimming each other’s online dating profiles” and referenced “the widely reported case of Jeffrey Marsalis, a serial rapist in Philadelphia who met his victims on Match.com.”  There are also people who post other people’s pictures (probably pulled from other online to create a new online identity without the intention to ever meet in person.

Physical attraction is an important part of screening potential mates but shouldn’t you be more cautious about who can identify you by your profile picture?  It’s a question that deserves attention, especially with the recent leak of WikiLeaks' founder Julian Assange’s dating profile on OKCupid.  

Teasers can be pixelated or clouded
with a privacy scale of 1-100.
(Cloud:60 as shown)

Through ProtectedPix you can create a ‘teaser image’ by modifying your picture so that it shows what you look like without the viewer being able to identify you.  Once you are comfortable with who you are communicating with you can reveal yourself in a clear picture. Each teaser is given a code which allows users to find you, write you a custom message and request to see your pictures.

To learn more about teasers take the video tour.

High-ranking Arizona cop demoted after semi-nude photos of several women found on town cell phone

Donald Garvin, Payson Arizona's second-ranking cop was demoted after police probe reveals a pattern of drinking, cell phone "sexting" and affairs. His attorney, Martin Bihn, said at last week’s hearing that Garvin was being punished harshly for private behavior that never came close to abusing his office. More

Australian athlete thought naked pictures were deleted but instead they were posted on Facebook

Nick Riewoldt, Captain of Australia's St. Kilda Football Club, and several other players are involved in a photo scandal after naked pictures of the athletes were posted on Facebook by a teenage girl.  Riewoldt, said that the photos were taken by a teammate and he requested at that time that they be deleted.  Instead the images were download onto a computer and stolen.  The teenager, who Riewoldt denies ever meeting, had been shopping the images around and is said to have posted the photos as 'revenge'. Facebook took the photos down and closed the girls account but the images have spread and are still available online. More

Woman losses $14,000 to a man she met online

A woman reported to police that she believes she has been scammed out of $14,000 by a man overseas whom she met through an online dating service. We bet he probably didn't use his real picture-maybe he pulled one off of another profile, an internet search or your Facebook page. Maybe he took her picture and is pretending to be her scamming someone else.  Hmmm....

Read the story

Elizabeth Hurley's budding relationship with Shane Warne ends over sexting

Melbourne businessman Denis Angeleri passed dozens of explicit texts, sent to his wife by cricketer Shane Warne, to the English press and then wrote a note to Warne's fans on Warne's website. See the story at The Daily Telegraph

Anna Faris admits to 'sexting' her father by mistake...

Updated 12/20/2010: Video expired. View another here

JWoww Demands Return of Naked Pix from Ex-Boyfriend

"Jersey Shore" star, Jwoww's is in a legal fight with her ex-boyfriend/former business manager Thomas Lippolis which seems to partially include the return of photos that are allegedly in his possession and that "leave nothing to the imagination".  According to RadarOnline, these photos were being shopped around last January and it seems Jwoww, whose real name is Jenni Farley, wants them back.  Read the story on TMZ

Semi-nude Christina Aguilera photos leak after stylist's account gets hacked

Christina Aguilera is upset over photos that were leaked on the Internet.  The photos, that were intended to be seen only by her stylist, were taken after her stylist's email account was hacked. Read more

 

It's time to sign-up for a ProtectedPix trial...

Sharing photos taken with smartphones may share too much.

Smartphones know the location of photos and embed that info into the picture file. If you share the photo online, you might be sharing more than you bargained for-like what you got for Christmas and where thieves can come and pick it up.

Read more

What you are privately doing online is really not so private.

Search engines are tracking what you do online.  Your computer has an IP address, similar to a post-office mailing address, and by monitoring it search engines know what websites you are visiting.  This helps them send targeted advertisements to you but also creates a record of your surfing history.  If you have a disease and are searching for a cure there is a trail.  And many times what you’re searching for can be misinterpreted.  If you search for “terrorist groups” does that mean you are looking to join one?  Some are pushing for an option to opt-out of tracking, similar to the ‘Do Not Call’ list. Until then you may consider using a proxy server that allows you to connect to another computer to do the surfing for you. 

55% of Recruiters Rejected Candidates Based on Finding their Photos and Videos Online

Looking for a job?

According to the recent study, Online Reputation in a Connected World, commissioned by Microsoft, it is clear that the majority of people do not realize the importance of online information and how it can affect their lives. 

The study looked at what part information found online plays for job seekers applying for employment.  Americans seem very unaware that their online information is being searched and included in the screening process because only 7% of Americans thought it was an issue when in fact  78% of the recruiters surveyed are conducting ‘search engine’ searches, 63%  are checking your social networking sites and  59% are browsing your photo and video sharing sites.

Based on information found online, 58% of recruiters rejected candidates based on concerns about the candidate’s lifestyle and 55% rejected candidates because they found unsuitable photos or videos.

The lesson: we live in a highly connected world and what is found online about us does matter.  ‘Post’ and ‘send’ with caution.

Cristiano Ronaldo’s girlfriend may sue over fake nude photos

Model Irina Shayk, who is the girlfriend of Cristiano Ronaldo, may sue GQ Spain for publishing fake nude pix.  According to Digital Spy, she claims that the magazine altered her pictures to make it appear as though she was fully nude, when in fact she was wearing underwear. Details

Irina Shayk has modeled in campaigns for Armani, GUESS, La Perla, Lacoste, Intimissi and Beach Bunny swimwear.

It's Time to Celebrate!!!

The Holidays are starting! In celebration of the season (and the fact that we launched the site) we want to give the first 1,000 people who upgrade their trial membership 3 months free. (Promo code: Launch  Expires: 12/31/2010)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Eighty boys victimized by teenager in 'sexting' scheme

Eighty boys from Putnam County,Tenn, ranging from eleven to seventeen years of age, were pressured into sending nude photos to a teenage male who either initially pretended to be a girl or said he was a “middle man” who would forward the images on to a girl.  After sending the initial pictures the boys were pressured to send more with threats to tell their parents and police. 

The boy identified in the case may be charged with extortion & harassment.

ProtectedPix 101: the Simple, Safer Way to Share your Photos

Personal Message to Hilary Duff and Mike Comrie

Hilary, Hilary, Hilary are you looking for your husband’s cell phone to get stolen?  We’re know Billy Bush threw you with the ‘sexting’ question and, yes, agree that you should keep things “interesting” but we have a safer way to do it…unless you want those pix ending up on the internet.  If not, let us know and we would love to give you a free lifetime membership to ProtectedPix (and then you can include your pretty face in the pix as well).  Contact us anytime....

See the interview.

'sext symbols' and single...(six reasons to use 'delete')

1. Tony Parker
2. Tiger Woods
3. Jesse James
4. Ashley Cole
5. Brett Favre
6. Chris Brown

Actions that led to break-ups and divorce

ProtectedPix Launches in Beta

ProtectedPix.com

ProtectedPix launches in beta!  Now you don't have to be concerned about being "window shopped" on dating sites, giving out your personal email or info to trade pix, finding out that someone has "borrowed" your pix to create their own online identity or losing control of those, um, personal images you self-snapped in the bathroom. 

So don't be shy.  Sign-up for your FREE 2-week trial now and let us know what you think!

Eva Longoria Files for Divorce, Sexting to Blame?

Eva Longoria files for divorce from Tony Parker, a professional basketball player currently playing for the San Antonio Spurs, after discovering hundreds of text messages to another woman.  While Parker admits to having a sexting relationship he denies that a physical affair took place.  The other woman is believed to be Erin Barry, the wife of Parker's former teammate Brent Barry. 

NY Lawyer Sentenced to Six Months in Jail for Online Impersonation

Attorney Raphael Golb was sentenced for sending emails and writing blogs using online aliases in order to harass people over a debate regarding ancient Jewish scrolls. See article.

Who are you really talking to online?

The Internet is a place where people can create new (and multiple) personas.  While making new online friends it is best to be cautious and limit sharing your personal information and pictures until you are comfortable that the person you are communicating with is really who they say they are.  This was not the case for a UCSB student who thought she was communicating with a fellow female student on Facebook and ended up learning that 'she' was actually a 'he'. 

It's also pretty easy for someone to pretend to be you online-"borrow" some of your pictures, create an online profile, set-up an email.  Whether someone is having fun (at your expense), trying to make a point about something, or being vindictive for some reason, you and your reputation can suffer.  

Recently, Tucker Carlson sent emails posing as Keith Olbermann.  To learn about this and more see Six Tips to Protect Your Personal Brand Online

Social Networking or Sexual Networking? That is the question....

Sex Rehab, which follows Dr. Drew Pinsky as he treats a group of celebrities tackling their addiction to sex, debuts across The Pond.  The show launched along with a survey of 2,000 Brits, 35% of whom have admitted to sending illicit photos to people other than their partners, 1 in 20 have met a sexual partner through Facebook and 11% have had sex with someone they had met online through a chatroom or dating site.

Miss World 2010 Caught Up In Nude Photo Scandal

18-Year Old Miss World Alexandria Mills

According to RadarOnline, Alexandria Mills, the first American woman to be crowned Miss World, took a nude photograph of herself over the summer and sent it to her boyfriend at the time. Reminding us that relationships end but sending that image is forever.

RadarOnline.com has seen and verified the authenticity of the photo, which is not posted on their site. 

Woman hacked Playboy playmate's e-mail, stole nude pics of MLB star

Grady Sizemore of the Cleveland Indians

MLB midfielder Grady Sizemore emailed some self-snapped nude and semi-nude pictures to his girlfriend, Playboy playmate Brittany Binger.  The pictures were stolen and leaked online allegedly by a 19-year old female college student who gained unauthorized access to Ms. Binger's computer.  See story

Companies Adopting Stricter Social Media Policies

More companies are developing social media policies that affect what you do even when you are not at work.  From a fire cheif who was indefinatly suspended from his job for posting nude photos on a dating website to companies requiring that you state your employment with them on your Facebook page, what you post or don't post can have consequences you didn't expect. Watch the Report

Dirt, Lies & the Internet

The Dr. Phil Show tackles the subject of gossip websites specifically pointing to TheDirty.com which allows users to anonomously submit photos and comments about everyday people.  One guest said she had her picture "stolen" from her MySpace page and posted on the website with untrue comments that negatively affected her and her quality of life.

One woman in 20 has caught her partner 'sexting' other women

Trust seems to be more of an issue as people look for ways to keep tabs on their significant others. See article

Top 20 Celebrity Nude Photo Scandals

You can take pictures of yourself or someone can take them of you, but in this digital age it is always possible, as these celebrities discovered, that others can see them as well.

Nude Photos Leaked Online: Kayne West

Rapper Kayne West

Radaronline reports that Rapper Kayne West, took nude pictures of himself and sent them out to a number of women.  Now those pictures have been shopped around for sale and posted online. (Graphic)

Aspiring Model Sues Apple for using 'Stolen' Photos Online

Aspiring model, Rebecca Battino, is suing Apple for copyright infringement after racy pictures she took of herself when she was sixteen years old turned up in an online iTunes application called "eXtreme Cam Girls."  Full Story

Sextortion is on the rise....

Most people would never imagine that they would be the victims of any form of extortion.  However, with popularity of web cams and sending compromising images through the Internet or texting, the number of people who have found themselves in being extorted with the threat of revealing those images to friends and loved ones is on the rise.  Learn more about specific cases and what you can do to protect yourself from being put into such an unwanted position:

With Sexting, Sexcam sessions, and Indiscretion, Comes Sextortion

10 Ways to Protect Your Privacy Online

People can learn alot more about you doing a simple google search then you probably want them to know.  Whether it a potential new love interest or employer, or just some bad person looking to steal your finances or identity, you may want to control the information they are finding.  See the 10 things you can do

Restoring your Online Reputation

LAKE MARY, Fla. (WOFL, FOX 35) -
Photos, comments and videos posted on-line; they'll never go away.

These days it seems like everyone has a Facebook account. But if we're not careful our favorite website could do our reputation some harm

People have lost their jobs over what's on their facebook or a social networking page and others have a hard time getting a job after they post a controversial comment or some scandalous pictures show up on their page.


So what do you do after your online reputation is ruined?  Watch Lauren Candito from http://socialmediasolutionsllc.com/   on Fox 35 talking about protecting and restoring youronline reputation.

Nude Photos Leaked Online: Brett Favre

 The Brett Favre-Jenn Sterger sexting scandal has taken another turn today when  nude pictures, alledgedly those that Brett Favre took of himself and sent via text to sideline reporter Jenn Sterger, were posted by Deadspin.com, a sports news website.

See the Deadspin video that chronicle the progression of the scandal.

Parents May be the Biggest Threat to Online Privacy

According to a study for AVG, a security software company, parents may be creating a digital footprint for their children-starting before birth, with prebirth scans.    The study found that:

1. The average age at which a child acquires an online presence courtesy of their parents is at six months, and by the time they are two 81% of children have some kind of ‘digital footprint’.
2. A third (33%) of children have had images posted online from birth
3. A quarter (23%) of children have even had their pre-birth scans uploaded to the Internet by their parents
4. Seven per cent (7%) of babies have even had an email address created for them by their parents
5. More than 70% of mothers said they posted baby and toddler images online to share with friends and family

The question that parents should ask themselves is if their children will want to have these pictures online (along with any other personal information) as they get older and may be searchable for future friends and potential employers.

Duke University Sex List-Meant For Friend's Eyes Only-Goes Viral

Duke University student, Karen Owens, sparked controversy this week when she posted a list of her sexual encounters and ranked them.  She used the real names and photos of her “subjects” and described the details of the encounter in a PowerPoint presentation.  According to reports, the presentation was emailed and intended for a few girlfriends but was forwarded on and ultimately posted on Jezebel .com.  The story has sparked legal, moral, and privacy debates and has since been covered by many outlets including the New York Times and the Today Show. 

WI District Attorney to Resign over 'Sexting'

District Attorney Ken Kratz from Calumet County resigned apologizing to family for the “embarrassment and shame” after he was accused of sending inappropriate text messages to a victim of domestic violence that he was representing. . 

Mr. Kratz used texting and his position to try to start a relationship with the victim and others have since comes forward.

Associated Press Article

Video on Good Morning America

New "Sexting" Law Takes Effect Today in Connecticut

In most states, the sending of sexual images of a minor-even if it’s one minor to another-is considered possession of child pornography, which is a felony.  As in the case of Philip Alpert, this strict guideline has resulted in minors being charged and labeled as sex offenders.


The State of Connecticut is now offering law enforcement another option by creating a new Class A misdemeanor which would keep consenting minors from being convicted of a felony and being forced to add their name to the state’s sex offender registry.

Don’t get Dooced!

Dooced is an internet expression meaning to lose one’s job or position because of “objectionable” posts on your website or blog.  And now, what you are doing online may be easier for your employers to find out because a website called Social Intelligence is here to help them!  According to their website,

Social Intelligence offers nearly real-time surveillance of employees’ online behavior [in which they may] criticize managers or coworkers on a social networking site, post questionable photos on a blog, or regularly update personal sites while on the clock.

So before sending something off to cyberspace just remember that it may land in your employee file. 

Invasion of Privacy Online Results in Suicide at Rutgers University

Rutgers student Tyler Clementi

Rutgers’ freshman, Tyler Clementi, takes his own life after his roommate broadcasted a private sexual encounter between him and another man on the Internet.  Fellow students, Dharun Ravi and Molly Wei, have been charged with invasion of privacy for broadcasting the encounter because it is illegal in NJ to create pornography without the subject’s consent.  This is also being investigated as a possible hate crime.

Woman speaks out about Her Brutal Rape after Her MySpace Pictures are used in a Bogus Craigslist Ad

Sarah, who was brutally attacked because of a bogus ad placed on Craigslist, discussed her ordeal on the Oprah Winfrey Show today.  The Craigslist ad was posted by Jebidiah James Stipe, a former boyfriend, who used her identity and created the ad using pictures- including bikini shots- that were pulled from Sarah’s MySpace page. 


The headline of the ad read “Need an aggressive man with no concern or regard for women. If interested, contact Sarah” and was intended to be used to intent of set-up the fulfillment of a rape fantasy.   


For more info see The Oprah Show website

Catfish Movie Documents a Tale of Online Deception

A New York photographer and filmmaker has an online love affair with someone who may not be what they seem.


Movie Location and Times


Full Story on 20/20 (Spoiler Alert) (Updated 10/7/10)

Photographer Offers Groupon Deal Using Stolen Photographs

A $500 photography package offered for $65 quickly sold out on Groupon generating over $76,000 in revenue.  Afterwards, the photographer was accussed of using photographs pulled from the websites of other photographers and all of the purchases from Groupon were refunded. More.

Man gets 20 years in 'sexting' case

The Associated Press

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. -- A 24-year-old Jacksonville man is going to federal prison for 20 years in a "sexting" case.


The U.S. Attorneys Office said Anthony William Denham was sentenced for persuading a girl to use her cell phone to take and send to him sexually explicit photos of herself. In exchange, he gave the child prepaid minutes for her phone.


Prosecutors said Denham had contacted the girl through a social networking site and used one of the photos she sent to create a fake web page so he could impersonate a young girl online.
A jury had found Denham guilty in May of producing and receiving child pornography. He was sentenced Monday. When he gets out of prison, he'll serve probation for the rest of his life.

Go to Miami Herald article

Woman's Photos Lifted, Used on Dating Sites

A 24-year old Denver woman discovers that her photo and life details were pulled from her Facebook account and used by a 46-year old woman, who created an online identity pretending to be her.  She used this identity to send explicit messages to men she met on dating sites such as PlentyofFish.com and Sugardaddie.com.  Full Story and Video

Canadian Judge in Nude Photo Scandal Steps Aside

Judge Lori Douglas

A Canadian judge, her lawyer husband and the law firm that both previously worked for face lawsuits that allege misfeasance in public office, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress.  Incorporated in the lawsuit were sexually explicit photos if the judge that were allegedly posted to the Internet without her knowledge.


Explicit Photos Included in Lawsuit


For More Information

Soon to be Divorced Reality Star Couple Fight Over Potential Release of Sex Tape

Divorce can be nasty-epecially when your soon to be ex-husband is shopping a sex tape around.  Heidi Montag allegedly made a sex tape with one of Hugh Hefner's former girlfriends, Karissa Shannon.
See the story

Woman Claims that Dell Computer Tech Stole Nude Pictures and Posted Them Online

A Sacramento woman ended up with a much bigger “computer problem” than she had originally thought. An outsourced Dell technician working from a Mumbai call center not only helped her find her “missing” nude pictures but then downloaded them and created a website to put them on display.



See Full Story

Vacation Photos Posted on Facebook Lead to a Lawsuit

Ashley Payne

After a three-week trip to Europe, former high-school teacher Ashley Payne posted her vacation pictures on Facebook-pictures that included her holding wine and beer. Soon after they were published online, Ms. Payne was called into the Principal’s office and allegedly forced to resign based on an anonymous complaint about the photos and comments that were posted online. She has since filed a lawsuit against the school district.


For More Info

Nude Photos Leaked Online: Martellus Bennett

Martellus Bennett

A former girlfriend of Dallas Cowboys tight end Martellus Bennett submitted nude photos for publication online without his consent. It seems what happens in the bathroom does not always stay in the bathroom.

Story at MediaTakeOut.com

Is Michael Lohan Selling Nude Photos of His Former Fiancée Kate Major?

Hard to imagine that someone that you  were planning on marrying would would take compromising photos without you even being aware but this former Star reporter now finds that she herself is the story.


Full Story on Gawker

"The Web Means the End of Forgetting"

Internet records can be stored forever and you may need to think of the possible ramifications before posting comments and photos.  This article, was written by Jeffrey Rosen, a law professor at George Washington University. It mentions one women who was denied a teaching certificate after posting a "drunken pirate" photo on her MySpace account because it was "unprofessional" and did not set a good example for her high-school students.

The Download on Sexting

Dr. Charles Sophy

LG Mobile Phones recently launched LG Text Ed program examines the dangers of “sexting” and other undesirable cell phone behavior. According to research conducted on their behalf,

• 28% of parents and 43% of teens admit to engaging in some form of sexting
• 33% of teens have received a nude picture of someone

Dr. Charles Sophy, the Medical Director for the Los Angeles County Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS), explains the social and legal consequences of sexting as part of the Text Ed program.


The Download on Sexting (Full Article)
For More on Dr. Sophy:

Teen Sexting Suit in Allentown, PA

A 17-year old high school student had her phone confiscated by school officials after nude pictures were found on them.  The teenager, now 19, was allegedly threatened with felony child pornography charges.


See Full Story

Nude Photos Leaked Online: Evelyn Lozada

Evelyn Lozada, cast member for VH1’s reality show “Basketball Wives” and ex-fiancé of former NBA player Antoine Walker, had nude photos leaked online. Lozada has filed a lawsuit accusing another woman of hacking into her email and stealing the images that were originally meant for a former "bed buddy".




Censored Version
Uncensored Version

Cell Phone Photos Posted Online After the Phone is Left at a Restaurant

No one is here to judge. We are sure that you look great in those, um, personal photos you snapped when you got out of the shower last week. We just aren’t so sure that you meant for everyone to see them. So if you plan on storing and sharing your images through your cell phone just see about getting one that can self destruct if it gets into the wrongs hands or , in this case, a few workers at McDonalds.

See Full Story

Ohio Makes Sexting Illegal

Ohio joins a growing number of states trying to address "sexting" among teenagers.  Under federal law the sending of explicit material the contains minors-even if it is a minor sending a picture of themselves to a peer is considered the production and distribution of child pornography.  The punishment can be a permanent label as a sex offender.  A bill passed in Ohio would allow for another lesser charge but one that be put on their juvenile records with an appropriate punishment.

Middle School Students Caught Selling Nude Photos of Students

Most parents would find it hard to imagine that their pre-teen child would be paying to see naked photos of their classmates.  So imagine the surprise of parents in Bethesda, MD when they got word that their children were passing around photos of girl students from their middle school and another local high school.  The photos, which appreared to be taken on school property, were stored on a student's iPod Touch and access to them were sold to other students.



                                                       The Washington Post Article

"Marinesniper" and "Tallhotblond" have Virtual Relationship that Ends in Murder

A 46-year old man pretends to be an 18-year old to chat with an 18-year old girl that turns out to be a 45-year old woman.  The two met on a popular game site, Pogo, and begin an online love affair.  The man, Thomas Montegomery, used a picture outdated by 30 years and the woman, a stay-at-home mother, sent pictures of her daughter.  See the full story to see how the borrowed identities lead to deadly consequences.

Full Story on 20/20

CommonSense Media: 5 Ways to Combat Unwanted Photos on Facebook

Once a picture is posted online it is difficult to remove it and can have negative consesqunces for the one pictured.   CommonSense Media offers some ideas on how to handle it when pictures are posted by Facebook friends and you want to have them removed.  See List


CommonSense Media Common Sense Media is dedicated to improving the lives of kids and families by providing the trustworthy information, education, and independent voice they need to thrive in a world of media and technology.