Attorney General Laxalt and Federal Trade Commission Obtain Federal Judgment Against Parties Responsible for Revenge Pornography Website


 Defendants must destroy images, pay $2.2 million for violating 
Nevada’s Deceptive Trade Practices Act, federal law
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    June 22, 2018

    Carson City, NV – Nevada Attorney General Adam Paul Laxalt announced that the State of Nevada, along with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), obtained a judgment against the parties responsible for the revenge pornography website, MyEx.com, for violation of federal and state law. The order results from the website’s non-consensual posting of intimate images of individuals, along with their personal information.

      As a result of the order, MyEx.com is permanently barred from operating a website or online service that disseminates intimate images of individuals without their verifiable, affirmative, express consent in writing. The court also ordered the defendants to destroy the intimate images in their possession, and to pay $2,022,930 in monetary relief to the FTC. After the Office of the Nevada Attorney General and the FTC filed for an injunction in January of this year, MyEx.com was successfully taken offline. This newly acquired federal order now ensures that the website will remain offline.

        “This judgment was sought on behalf of all those who were shamed or harmed by MyEx.com, especially women who represent the vast majority of its victims,” said Laxalt. “Revenge pornography is an abhorrent practice that should not be encouraged or solicited by any website. I commend my Bureau of Consumer Protection for collaborating with the FTC to protect future individuals from being victimized by this site.”

          In a complaint filed in federal court, the Office of the Nevada Attorney General and the FTC stated that MyEx.com is dedicated solely to involuntary pornography and solicited intimate pictures and videos of victims, together with their personal information such as their name, address, employer and social media account information. The site urged visitors to “Add Your Ex,” and to “Submit Pics and Stories of Your Ex.” In numerous instances, the defendants allegedly charged victims fees between $499 and $2,800 to remove their images and information from the site.

            According to the complaint, visitors to MyEx.com could rate the videos and pictures they see and post comments about the victims. At various times, the site included victims’ full date of birth, personal email address, telephone number, and links to social media profiles, along with the intimate images.

              The complaint alleged that the defendants’ conduct constituted a deceptive trade practice under Nevada law when they used coercion, duress or intimidation to seek payment from consumers to take down their intimate images and personal information. Furthermore, the FTC claimed that the defendants’ practices constituted unfair acts or deceptive practices in violation of the FTC Act.

                Senior Deputy Attorney General Laura M. Tucker of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection represented Nevada in this matter.

                  To view the final order, click here.

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