Entertainment

Greg Doherty/Getty Images Entertainment/Getty Images

Did Rob Kardashian Violate California's Revenge Porn Laws?

by Cameron Norsworthy

Posting private nude photos of a former partner on social media isn't just morally wrong — in some circumstances, it's totally illegal. Followers of the Rob Kardashian and Blac Chyna social media drama that erupted on Wednesday, then, are likely wondering: What are California's revenge porn laws? Kardashian posted some explicit nude photos to his Instagram and Twitter accounts on Wednesday morning, claiming that they were of Chyna. The images have since been taken down, but their potential damage still remains.

Romper has reached out to Chyna's lawyer and Kardashian's representation for comment but has not yet received a response.

Kardashian's "revenge porn" image in question consisted of a supposed photo of Chyna's genitals, allegedly sent to him yesterday. "This is from Chyna yesterday to me," the Instagram caption read; "This woman is so disrespectful and I don't care," he wrote, insisting that Chyna had allegedly been cheating on him. Instagram shut down Kardashian's account on Wednesday, at which point Kardashian reposted his images to Twitter. Again, the images were deleted from the site.

Priya Sopori, a former federal prosecutor who specialized in cybercrime, told BuzzFeed News that Kardashian's post could very well lead to legal action against him. Sopori explained that if Chyna insists that the photos were for private use only, and that the posting of the photos caused her emotional distress, Kardashian could be found guilty of violating the law.

California's revenge porn law, or SB 255, makes it "illegal to post explicit images of someone online without their consent," California law corporation Wallin & Klarich summarizes on its site. Revenge porn convictions are classified as misdemeanors, and are punishable by up to six months in county jail as well as a possible $1,000 fine. In the case of a second offense, or if the victim exploited was a minor, offenders might face a year in jail and a $2,000 fine. Thus, Kardashian could be looking at jail time and a small (by his standards) fine.

In addition to posting the aforementioned alleged photos, Kardashian has claimed that Chyna cheated on him repeatedly, has allegedly undergone extreme plastic surgery using his money, has allegedly abandoned her child, and has allegedly engaged in excessive drinking and drug use, all claims to which Chyna has not issued a response. The couple, who are parents to 7-month-old Dream Kardashian, obviously has a lot to hash out, and Kardashian's alleged law-breaking would be an egregious offense on top of everything.

Chyna hasn't revealed whether or not she'll pursue legal action against Kardashian. In fact, the only statements she's given thus far have been in the form of Snapchat stories, one of which alleges that Kardashian physically abused her. (Kardashian has not issued a response to those allegations.) Fans are now hoping that the reality of the situation will come to light, perhaps in the form of collected, written statements instead of Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter tirades.