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17 J. Marshall J. Computer & Info. L. 1167 (1998-1999)
Technology Arms Peeping Toms with a New and Dangerous Arsenal: A Compelling Need for States to Adopt New Legislation

handle is hein.journals/jmjcila17 and id is 1175 raw text is: TECHNOLOGY ARMS PEEPING TOMS WITH A NEW AND DANGEROUS ARSENAL: A COMPELLING NEED FOR STATES TO ADOPT NEW LEGISLATION I. INTRODUCTION The act of voyeurism is becoming an increasingly prevalent and un- settling threat to human dignity and the right to privacy.1 The peeping Tom2 of yesterday is now armed with a new arsenal that threatens more than just the unsuspecting victim standing by an open window.3 With the development and advancement of surveillance technology,4 voyeur- ism has evolved into something an increasing number of people suspect and fear.5 The accessibility of small video cameras and other viewing or 1. BLACi's LAw DICTIONARY 1578 (6th ed. 1990). Voyeurism is defined as: the condition of one who derives sexual satisfaction from observing the sexual organs or acts of others, generally from a secret vantage point. Id. 2. LA. REv. STAT. ANN. § 284 (West 1999). The statute defines a peeping Tom as one who peeps through windows or doors, or other like places, situated on or about the prem- ises of another for the purpose of spying upon or invading the privacy of persons spied upon without the consent of the persons spied upon. Id.; see also S.C. CODE ANN. § 16-17-470 (Law. Co-op. 1998). The South Carolina statute describes a peeping Tom as someone who peeps through windows, doors, or other like places, on or about the premises of another, for the purpose of spying upon or invading the privacy of the other persons spied upon and any other conduct of a similar nature, that tends to invade the privacy of others. Id.; see also State v. Harris, 358 S.E.2d 713, 714 (S.C. 1987) (holding that '[pleeping Tom' is a crime of moral turpitude). 3. See infra notes 74-79 and accompanying text (discussing the advancements in tech- nology and how they allow voyeurs to peep while no one is looking). 4. See infra notes 74-88. 5. Primetime Live: Rooms with a View - Landlords Caught on Tape Harassing Ten- ants (ABC television broadcast, Apr. 1, 1998). Numerous television programs have tapped into society's fascination and paranoia with this type of invasion of privacy. Id. Sylvia Chase, from Primetime Live, also addressed the topic on a show about landlords harassing tenants. Id. A number of tenants of landlord Lynn Lacey described the various means that he used to view them in their separate apartments. Id. Some of these methods included the use of two-way mirrors, hidden rooms, peepholes, and video recorders. Id. The hun- dreds of videotapes recovered by authorities contained various pornographic scenes such as tenants engaged in sexual activity and images of children using the restroom. Id. 1167

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