2016 US Code
Title 18 - Crimes and Criminal Procedure
Part I - Crimes
Chapter 88 - Privacy
Sec. 1801 - Video voyeurism

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Citation 18 U.S.C. § 1801 (2016)
Section Name §1801. Video voyeurism
Section Text

(a) Whoever, in the special maritime and territorial jurisdiction of the United States, has the intent to capture an image of a private area of an individual without their consent, and knowingly does so under circumstances in which the individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both.

(b) In this section—

(1) the term "capture", with respect to an image, means to videotape, photograph, film, record by any means, or broadcast;

(2) the term "broadcast" means to electronically transmit a visual image with the intent that it be viewed by a person or persons;

(3) the term "a private area of the individual" means the naked or undergarment clad genitals, pubic area, buttocks, or female breast of that individual;

(4) the term "female breast" means any portion of the female breast below the top of the areola; and

(5) the term "under circumstances in which that individual has a reasonable expectation of privacy" means—

(A) circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that he or she could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that an image of a private area of the individual was being captured; or

(B) circumstances in which a reasonable person would believe that a private area of the individual would not be visible to the public, regardless of whether that person is in a public or private place.


(c) This section does not prohibit any lawful law enforcement, correctional, or intelligence activity.

Source Credit

(Added Pub. L. 108–495, §2(a), Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3999.)

Editorial Notes SHORT TITLE OF 2004 AMENDMENT

Pub. L. 108–495, §1, Dec. 23, 2004, 118 Stat. 3999, provided that: "This Act [enacting this chapter] may be cited as the 'Video Voyeurism Prevention Act of 2004'."

Publication Title United States Code, 2012 Edition, Supplement 4, Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
Category Bills and Statutes
Collection United States Code
SuDoc Class Number Y 1.2/5:
Contained Within Title 18 - CRIMES AND CRIMINAL PROCEDURE
PART I - CRIMES
CHAPTER 88 - PRIVACY
Sec. 1801 - Video voyeurism
Contains section 1801
Date 2016
Laws In Effect As Of Date January 6, 2017
Positive Law Yes
Disposition standard
Short Titles 'Video Voyeurism Prevention Act of 2004'."
Statutes at Large References 118 Stat. 3999
Public Law References Public Law 108-495
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