Ask Me Help Desk - Invasion of privacy

Invasion of privacy

If someone were to go through files on a computer, and steal inappropriate subject matter, could that person be charged or sued for some sort of invasion of privacy?

You are going to have to provide more information for an accurate response.

Quote:

Originally Posted by J_9

You are going to have to provide more information for an accurate response.

If a friend were to go on a friends computer, find naked pictures of his girlfriend and save those pictures on his phone

Did you give permission for him to use your computer?

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Did you give permission for him to use your computer?

No, was in the shower

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

... could that person be charged or sued for some sort of invasion of privacy?

Doubtful.

Charged (criminal)? Probably not. You left your computer unprotected, and your friend in your home.

Sued (civil)? Not likely. What are your money damages?

I might reconsider who to have as a friend.

Invasion of privicy is not really a criminal issue.

If they broke into your home ( but you let them in)

If they stole your computer, but you let it out and not password secured.

And this is the issue with naked photos, they seldon stay private

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

if someone were to go through files on a computer, and steal inappropriate subject matter

Hello play:

Stealing is against the law.. But, if someone has to ask about it, there's something else going on... Want to tell us about it?

excon

Quote:

Originally Posted by excon

Hello play:

Stealing is against the law.. But, if someone has to ask about it, there's something else going on... Wanna tell us about it?

excon

Okay so my boyfriend was going in the shower, his Best friend asked to use his laptop to check his Facebook, of course he said yes, because obviously he trusted him, my boyfriend had a folder named "private do not open" so his best friend opened the folder, he put his sd card from his phone in the computer, dragged the naked pictures of me to the sd card and saved them. My boyfriend went to use his friends phone and seen the pictures and smashed the phone. And I realize it was extremely stupid of me to even take pictures like that, but he's my boyfriend of 6 years and the photos were hidden, but I'm very livid about this whole situation, I feel completely violated and embarrassed. I am just requesting some sort of advice that will help...

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

okay so my boyfriend was going in the shower, his BESTFRIEND asked to use his laptop to check his facebook, of course he said yes, because obviously he trusted him, my boyfriend had a folder named "private do not open" so his bestfriend opened the folder, he put his sd card from his phone in the computer, dragged the naked pictures of me to the sd card and saved them. my boyfriend went to use his friends phone and seen the pictures and smashed the phone. and i realize it was extremely stupid of me to even take pictures like that, but hes my boyfriend of 6 years and the photos were hidden, but im very livid about this whole situation, i feel completely violated and embarassed. i am just requesting some sort of advice that will help...

What would I do? I'd be very angry with a boyfriend who left the photos on his computer, not in a locked file, for anyone to see.

Yes, I'd also feel violated and embarrassed, more so when the photos appear on the Internet. Your boyfriend smashed his phone before or after he distributed the photos?

Sometimes the stupid things we do follow us around forever.

I wouldn't be happy with the best friend but is there some reason your boyfriend had to carry the naked pictures of you around on his laptop, not destroy them, not put them behind a password?

EDIT: 10 year olds are on AMHD asking about dating. I don't know how old you are but if you are/were underage I see another problem or two for ALL of you.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

What would I do? I'd be very angry with a boyfriend who left the photos on his computer, not in a locked file, for anyone to see.

Yes, I'd also feel violated and embarrassed, moreso when the photos appear on the Internet. Your boyfriend smashed his phone before or after he distributed the photos?

Sometimes the stupid things we do follow us around forever.

I wouldn't be happy with the best friend but is there some reason your boyfriend had to carry the naked pictures of you around on his laptop, not destroy them, not put them behind a password?

EDIT: 10 year olds are on AMHD asking about dating. I don't know how old you are but if you are/were underage I see another problem or two for ALL of you.

Why the hell would I even take the photos if he were just going to destroy them? And no he did not distribute them, he smashed it before that could be an issue. And no everyone in this situation is over 20 years of age.

Is the (hopefully former) friend wanting reimbursement for the phone?

I can certainly understand a) you're allowing your boyfriend to have the pics b) your feelings of violation and embarrassment and c) your boyfriends actions.

But do you want to be even further embarrassed by trying to get him arrested over this?

Bottom line, your boyfriend needs to know how to hide and secure files on his PC.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ScottGem

Is the (hopefully former) friend wanting reimbursement for the phone?

I can certainly understand a) you're allowing your boyfriend to have the pics b) your feelings of violation and embarrassment and c) your boyfriends actions.

But do you want to be even further embarrassed by trying to get him arrested over this?

Bottom line, your boyfriend needs to know how to hide and secure files on his PC.

No the friend isn't asking for reinbursement because he knows he deserved everything he got, but since my boyfriend hit him, there is now a warrant for his arrest which he will be turning himself in for, but I need to know if there are any legal actions I can take to actually make a reasonable argument.

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

no the friend isnt asking for reinbursement because he knows he deserved everything he got, but since my boyfriend hit him, there is now a warrant for his arrest which he will be turning himself in for, but i need to know if there are any legal actions i can take to actually make a reasonable arguement.

And if me being embarrassed makes this go away I will be more than happy to expose this situation

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

why the hell would i even take the photos if he were just going to destroy them? and no he did not distribute them, he smashed it before that could be an issue. and no everyone in this situation is over 20 years of age.

Please quote where I said he should destroy the photos.

I questioned why he needed to keep them in an unlocked file on a laptop.

So immediately after they were copied your boyfriend smashed the phone. Are they still on your boyfriend's computer, unlocked?

My question is more along the lines of why the hell you took the photos in the first place (to quote you).

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

no the friend isnt asking for reinbursement because he knows he deserved everything he got, but since my boyfriend hit him, there is now a warrant for his arrest which he will be turning himself in for, but i need to know if there are any legal actions i can take to actually make a reasonable arguement.

You know, it helps when the whole story gets posted right up front. Excon's vibes were right.

I do not believe the Court accepts any "reasonable argument" in defense of a physical assault unless it's force met by force.

Any legal actions you can take? Is there a warrant out for you? Otherwise, it's your boyfriend's problem.

I actually believed your first statement ("... my boyfriend went to use his friends phone and seen the pictures and smashed the phone ...) and the part about you being so embarrassed. Now I find out that's not the case at all.

Your words - you went from "very livid about this whole situation, I feel completely violated and embarrassed... " to there being a warrant out for your boyfriend's arrest over this incident.

I'd watch the "hell" language and try to tell a cohesive story if you are called as a witness.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Please quote where I said he should destroy the photos.

I questioned why he needed to keep them in an unlocked file on a laptop.

So immediately after they were copied your boyfriend smashed the phone. Are they still on your boyfriend's computer, unlocked?

My question is more along the lines of why the hell you took the photos in the first place (to quote you).

Well seeing as we spend a lot of time apart, we take photos so the use of porn wouldn't be necessary. Its not like this is a rare occurrence where a girlfriend sends naked pictures to her boyfriend

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

You know, it helps when the whole story gets posted right up front. Excon's vibes were right.

I do not believe the Court accepts any "reasonable argument" in defense of a physical assault unless it's force met by force.

Any legal actions you can take? Is there a warrant out for you? Otherwise, it's your boyfriend's problem.

I actually believed your first statement ("... my boyfriend went to use his friends phone and seen the pictures and smashed the phone ...) and the part about you being so embarrassed. Now I find out that's not the case at all.

Your words - you went from "very livid about this whole situation, i feel completely violated and embarassed... " to there being a warrant out for your boyfriend's arrest over this incident.

I'd watch the "hell" language and try to tell a cohesive story if you are called as a witness.

Your responses are no longer required, how exactly did my story change? I have no reason to make anything up or change the story, how would that help my situation at all? And yes there is a warrant but I am the one who was violated and the friend was the one who was a victim of assault, any reasonable person would snap in this situation, my boyfriends actions were on no level "not deserved"

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

well seeing as we spend a lot of time apart, we take photos so the use of porn wouldnt be necessary. its not like this is a rare occurance where a girlfriend sends naked pictures to her boyfriend

Again, please quote what I said that deserved your "what the Hell" comment involving destroying the photos.

If naked photos of each other works, fine. I truly don't know what the "rare occurrence where a gf sends naked picture to her bf" has to do with this - you're his girlfriend, they were naked pictures. What's the difference?

At any rate, my question remains the same - why weren't they locked?

This sounds like College stuff to me. I've been involved in one of these investigations, but one of the parties was underage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Again, please quote what I said that deserved your "what the Hell" comment involving destroying the photos.

If naked photos of each other works, fine. I truly don't know what the "rare occurrence where a gf sends naked picture to her bf" has to do with this - you're his gf, they were naked pictures. What's the difference?

At any rate, my question remains the same - why weren't they locked?

This sounds like College stuff to me. I've been involved in one of these investigations, but one of the parties was underage.

Well because maybe people don't think that their bestfriends would go into private and personal folders

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

well because maybe people dont think that their bestfriends would go into private and personal folders

Well, apparently they do. That's why "most people" have passwords for sensitive info, finances, photos, whatever else they want to keep private, including if/when the computer is ever stolen.

What degree assault is the charge against your boyfriend?

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Well, apparently they do. That's why "most people" have passwords for sensitive info, finances, photos, whatever else they want to keep private, including if/when the computer is ever stolen.

What degree assault is the charge against your bf?

Assault with bodily harm, I do believe the friend had gotten a concussion, and there is a password when you first open the laptop if it had ever gotten stolen

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

assault with bodily harm, i do believe the friend had gotten a concussion, and there is a password when you first open the laptop if it had ever gotten stolen

Concussion? Probably first degree? He needs an Attorney or he's going to have this on his permanent criminal record.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JudyKayTee

Concussion? Probably first degree? He needs an Attorney or he's going to have this on his permanent criminal record.

In the process of acquiring one right now, thank you for the advice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

your responses are no longer required, how exactly did my story change? i have no reason to make anything up or change the story, how would that help my situation at all? and yes there is a warrant but I am the one who was violated and the friend was the one who was a victim of assault, any reasonable person would snap in this situation, my boyfriends actions were on no level "not deserved"

First, please don't presume to dictate who can or cannot respond to your posts here. Once you post a question you open yourself up for any response as long as it doesn't violate our rules.

Second, no you didn't change your story, but you left out a VERY key piece of info. Also you asked the wrong question. The question you should have asked is what defense your boyfriend can use against an assault charge when the provocation for the assault was the victim having taken revealing pictures of you from his PC. Had you told us about the assault charge I believe our answers would have been different.

Unfortunately for your boyfriend provocation is not a valid defense unless the provocation was being attacked himself. If there is proof he hit the other guy, then he is likely to be convicted. His hope would appear to be either a plea bargain for a lesser charge or hope a judge and/or jury sympathizes with his provocation and reduces any sentence imposed.

And that is why he needs a good lawyer. Even if the friend did break any laws by copying the photos (which I don't believe he did), prosecuting him for doing so will not change your boyfriend's plight.

I sympathize with your boyfriend. I'm not sure I wouldn't have smashed the phone too. At the least I would have removed the memory card and burned it. I also would have told this person that he crossed the line and that we are no longer friends and to stay away from me. But assault? I think I would have drawn the line there.

Quote:

Originally Posted by playfair

your responses are no longer required, how exactly did my story change? i have no reason to make anything up or change the story, how would that help my situation at all? and yes there is a warrant but I am the one who was violated and the friend was the one who was a victim of assault, any reasonable person would snap in this situation, my boyfriends actions were on no level "not deserved"

Excuse me? Don't even attempt to dictate if I will or will not respond to your posts.

Go to Court and argue justifiable assault which results in a concussion and then come back and let me know how long your boyfriend will be in jail.

I don't know what's more pathetic - your sending naked photos to your boyfriend, him leaving them in an open folder, the best friend copying them, your boyfriend punching his lights out (and breaking his cell phone, one thing you did mention) or you thinking you were/are the victim.

With luck your photos will get posted somewhere and you'll be back for more advice.

I'd still like to know where I said that the photos should have been destroyed/deleted, which statement you have attributed to me: "why the hell would i even take the photos if he were just going to destroy them?"