Upskirt

Upskirt is a term usually referring to up skirt photography, images of the view up a woman's skirt (as seen from underneath), including shots of a woman's underwear, or exposing her vulva or buttocks. Alternatively, an "upskirt" may be a video, an illustration, or simply a view.

Upskirt photographs are common on pornographic websites.cite news
first = Maureen
last = O'Hagan
title = 'Upskirt' photographs deemed lewd but legal
url = http://archives.seattletimes.nwsource.com/cgi-bin/texis.cgi/web/vortex/display?slug=voyeur20m0&date=20020920
work = The Seattle Times
publisher = The Seattle Times Company
date = 2002-09-20
accessdate = 2006-12-26
quote = So-called "upskirt cams," sometimes called "upskirt photos" or "upskirt voyeur pictures," are a hot commodity in the world of Internet pornography.]

Voyeurism

While upskirt images may be captured consensually, many viewers seek such images taken surreptitiously (and presumably without the subject's consent). The creation and viewing of this type of upskirt are a form of voyeurism. The advent of cell phones fitted with cameras (a.k.a. camera phones) is often credited for the surge in this type of photograph. [cite news
first = Jo
last = Napolitano
title = Hold It Right There, And Drop That Camera
url = http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9C04E1D8163CF932A25751C1A9659C8B63&sec=&spon=&pagewanted=all
work = The New York Times
publisher = The New York Times Company
date = 2003-12-11
accessdate = 2008-05-23
quote = ... the proliferation of camera phones had helped give new life to "up skirt" or "down blouse" photography.] cite news
first = Michael
last = Tsai
title = Privacy issues plague picture phones
url = http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jan/18/ln/ln20a.html
work = The Honolulu Advertiser
publisher = Gannett Co.
date = 2004-01-18
accessdate = 2006-12-26
quote = ... because of the growing popularity of camera-equipped cell phones.]

Legal consideration

Australia

Many states in Australia have passed laws making it illegal to take upskirt photos in public places without the subject's consent. [cite web
url= http://www.smh.com.au/news/cameras--videos/upskirting-to-become-a-crime/2006/07/28/1153816375391.html
title= Upskirting to become a crime
accessdate= 2007-06-10
date= 2006-07-28
work= smh.com.au
publisher= The Sydney Morning Herald
quote= Voyeurs who secretly take pictures up women's skirts or down their blouses will face a crackdown under draft uniform national laws criminalizing the practice.]

Japan

In Japan, hidden-camera photography itself is not against the law as of 2002; however, distributing such photos publicly may break the law. Camera phones sold in Japan make an audible noise when taking a picture. [cite web
url= http://www.iht.com/articles/2002/09/09/btcrime_ed3_.php
title= In Japan, phones make mischief
accessdate=2007-06-10
last=Tanikawa
first=Miki
date=2002-09-09
work=International Herald Tribune
publisher=International Herald Tribune
quote=Mindful of such dangers, mobile network operators such as J-Phone have set up the phones so that releasing the shutter causes the phone to emit words like "Cheese!" or "Click!" Still, the sound may not be noticed in noisy public places...] This feature makes the subject more likely to notice if clandestine upskirt photos are being taken without consent.Fact|date=August 2008

New Zealand

In New Zealand it is illegal to take voyeuristic photos of intimate body parts in any setting in which a person has a "reasonable expectation of privacy". This includes public and private settings. It is also illegal to possess or distribute such images. [cite web
url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=247&objectid=10412411
title=Law to stop voyeurs filming people
accessdate=2007-06-10
date=2006-10-25
work=NZ Herald
publisher=APN Holdings NZ Limited
quote=The punishment can be up to three years' imprisonment.]

United States

Upskirt images have also been a driving force behind a wave of state, local, and Federal legislation that began around the year 2000, shortly after the introduction and subsequent widespread proliferation of camera phones.

ee also

*Anasyrma
*Downblouse
*Panchira

References

External links

*cite web | url=http://www.epic.org/privacy/gender/ | title=Gender and Electronic Privacy | publisher= Electronic Privacy Resource Center | accessdate=2006-12-26
*cite web | url=http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2004/Jan/18/ln/ln20a.html | title=Privacy issues plague picture phones | publisher= The Honolulu Advertiser | accessdate=2006-12-26
*cite web | url=http://www.caslon.com.au/photonote1.htm | title=Unauthorized photos | publisher= Caslon Analytics | accessdate=2006-12-26
*cite web | url=http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/05_32/b3946008_mz001.htm | title=Surveillance Society: The Experts Speak | publisher= Business Week Online | accessdate=2006-12-26