Congress Proposes Cell Phone Camera Law

A bill (S. 1301) has been proposed and passed by the US Senate to make it a federal crime to use a cell phone camera for "video voyeurism." Although secretly photographing or videotaping someone is illegal in many states, the variety of laws among the states sometimes allows perpetrators avoid prosecution. Officials believe a federal law will provide more effective protection for the public.

"No one should have to go through the embarrassment of being secretly taped by an electronic peeping Tom, or seeing those pictures turn up on the Internet," said Rep. Mike Oxley, R-Ohio, a former FBI agent who is an advocate for the bill.

Convictions under the law would be punishable by a fine and a possible one year in jail. The bill now goes to the House Judiciary Committee for consideration.