Supporting a Safer Internet Paper No. 2 Non-Consensual Intimate Image Distribution: The Legal Landscape in Kenya, Chile and South Africa Supporting a Safer Internet Paper No. 2 Non-Consensual Intimate Image Distribution: The Legal Landscape in Kenya, Chile and South Africa About CIGI Credits The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) is an independent, Managing Director & General Counsel Aaron Shull non-partisan think tank whose peer-reviewed research and trusted analysis Manager, Government Affairs and Partnerships Liliana Araujo influence policy makers to innovate. Our global network of multidisciplinary Senior Publications Editor Jennifer Goyder researchers and strategic partnerships provide policy solutions for the digital Publications Editor Susan Bubak era with one goal: to improve people’s lives everywhere. 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Centre for International Governance Innovation and CIGI are registered trademarks. 67 Erb Street West Waterloo, ON, Canada N2L 6C2 www.cigionline.org Table of Contents vi About the Project vi Acronyms and Abbreviations 1 Executive Summary 1 Introduction 3 Case Studies 15 Conclusion 17 Works Cited About the Project Acronyms and Supporting a Safer Internet: Global Survey Abbreviations of Gender-Based Violence Online is a two- year research project, in partnership with the AI artificial intelligence International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and Ipsos. This project explores the prevalence of BAKE Bloggers Association of Kenya online gender-based violence (OGBV) experienced CIMA Computer Misuse and Cybercrimes Act by women and LGBTQ+ individuals in the Global South. From cyberstalking, impersonation and KICA Kenya Information and the non-consensual distribution of intimate Communications Act images, to deliberate personal attacks on communications channels, OGBV is silencing LGBTQ+ lesbian, gay, bisexual, the voices of women and LGBTQ+ individuals, transgender, queer or questioning causing digital exclusion and propagating and other sexualities systemic inequalities. To address these emerging challenges, the survey and papers produced MPs members of Parliament under this research initiative will help to develop NCII non-consensual intimate images policy recommendations and navigate shared governance issues that are integral to designing NCIID non-consensual intimate responses to OGBV — whether that be through image distribution the regulation of online social media platforms, educational programming or legal recourse. OGBV online gender-based violence POPIA Protection of Personal Information Act TOS terms of service vi Supporting a Safer Internet Paper No. 2 • individuals’ lives; ex-partners pursuing vengeance out of jealous rage; a form of entertainment, Executive Summary bonding, showing off or “fitting in” among peers (Hall and Hearn 2017); a mechanism for profit or This paper provides an overview of the state of entertainment (Henry et al. 2020); or an incidence the law, both existing and proposed, in three of cyberbullying intended to embarrass or control, countries in the Global South as it relates to the among others. Some victims are left feeling like non-consensual distribution of intimate images. their lives have been upended and their reputations It was prepared under the overall coordination of irreparably damaged, inflicting considerable anxiety CIGI’s Kailee Hilt and Emma Monteiro, who also and/or a lasting scar (Citron and Franks 2014). wrote the introduction and conclusion. The three case studies were written by leading experts from Incidents have driven perceptions of “slut Kenya, Chile and South Africa. The authors discuss shaming,” the insidious message that once an current and proposed legislation in response individual has exposed themselves violating to non-consensual intimate image distribution defined “sexual standards,” they can be shamed (NCIID), while also sharing recommendations for repeatedly — especially as an example of deviant further action to address this growing form of or promiscuous character (Chun and Friedland gender-based violence within the digital sphere. 2015). This logic can be degrading toward women’s femininity or sexual attractiveness and can precipitate a loss of sexual autonomy in some cases (Citron 2018). Furthermore, incidents of NCIID have also been shown to impact personal relationships with family, friends and partners. Some individuals Introduction have experienced a loss of professional or educational opportunities (Citron and Franks NCIID, colloquially referred to as “revenge 2014); have had to relocate; have risked further pornography” (Franks 2019)1 or “image-based surveillance when personal information is included sexual abuse” (McGlynn and Rackley 2017) is alongside photos (Uhl et al. 2018); have lost control an unforgiving reality that continues to plague over their identities, resulting in changing their the lives of many within the current digital names or altering their appearance (Kitchen 2015); landscape. It alludes to the non-consensual and have experienced further provocation, such as distribution of photos or videos depicting nudity, fear that the image may resurface (Mori et al. 2020). partial nudity or sexually explicit acts (Citron and For example, entire websites have been created Franks 2014). Evidence on the ground points to for posting pictures of ex-intimates (Korenis and a growing problem2 that has been enabled by a Billick 2014). Even when these sites are, in some technological and cultural upheaval, which has cases, shut down, it can be challenging, if not placed a cellphone with a camera in every pocket impossible, to fully rid the web of copies of the and produced an audience for almost every post image once it has been published, given the ease that makes its way into the digital world. Motives with which information can be shared within the for these actions seem to vary, ranging from digital world (Dunn and Petricone-Westwood 2018). surreptitious actors seeking to wreak havoc on There is a temptation to fit NCIID within a single framing; however, such actions can have multiple 1 Use of the term “revenge pornography” is problematic as it implies meanings, intentions and contexts surrounding retribution for some form of wrongdoing on the part of the victims, thereby contributing to victim blaming. Furthermore, the term “porn” them. Arguably, claims of sexually exposed implies that the subject of the image (photograph or video) consented to women as “ruined” are based on historical or their image being shared, which is extremely misleading. Therefore, the cultural depictions asserting that women’s sexual term “non-consensual intimate image distribution,” or NCIID, is preferred by many scholars and activists working in this space. However, the case virtue must be protected and contained (Chun studies included in this comparative analysis may refer to the concept by and Friedland 2015). The assertion that an image different terms, depending on norms in their respective country. shared publicly is “catastrophic” or “inherently 2 For example, a recent study conducted by the Australian Institute of devastating” is not always the case for every Criminology on image-based sexual abuse in Australia, the United victim, as some individuals remain unaffected or Kingdom and New Zealand (Henry, Flynn and Powell 2019) found that one in three people have been victims of this form of abuse. This was an refuse to be embarrassed by having their nude increase from 2016 (where the report was one in five), but it is likely that and/or sexual image shared (Dodge, forthcoming the real number is even higher. Non-Consensual Intimate Image Distribution: The Legal Landscape in Kenya, Chile and South Africa 1 2021). Some scholars suggest that social and cyberbullying after photos exploiting them legal responses to NCIID should leave room circulated online, and who died by