Virulent viewing or picture taking?

• Position: On First Reading

The Washington state Supreme Court says that it's not illegal to take photos in public up a woman's skirt. So the Legislature is doing something about it.

A bill is being considered to ban photographing people in places where they expect privacy--like dressing rooms and bathrooms. The legislation specifically outlaws videotaping "under or through" another person's clothing.

Increasingly, voyeurs are using video technology to invade places never before accessible via plain sight. And, thinking their privacy is protected, unsuspecting victims are totally oblivious to the peering eye of a covertly placed camera.

At least 20 states have laws about the use of cameras for private surveillance, but only a few address the crime of "video voyeurism." California passed the first law in 2000 that made it illegal to use a concealed camera to tape or photograph intimate parts of a person. Then Ohio enacted a law in 2001 that prohibits "upskirting," "downblousing" and other kinds of covert videotaping through or under clothing.

Kentucky created the crime of video voyeurism when a person videotapes another in various states of undress. The law is similar to those in Alaska, Georgia, Louisiana and Michigan. Mississippi's law...