Is Anybody Down?
Type of site | Pornographic |
|---|---|
| Owner | Craig Brittain and Chance Trahan[1] |
| URL | isanybodydown |
| Commercial | no |
| Launched | December 1, 2011 |
| Current status | Active |
IsAnybodyDown is a controversial website co-founded by Craig Brittain and Chance Trahan[3][4][5][6][1] where users can anonymously upload nude photographs along with information identifying the person in the photograph (including full names, addresses, phone numbers, and Facebook screenshots).[7][8] The site also contains a section of nude photographs titled "Anonymous Bounty", where users are offered "free stuff" if they can provide the Facebook or Twitter information of any of the women pictured.[9] In concept, the website recapitulates the now-defunct IsAnyoneUp?, which was shut down in April of 2012, shortly before an FBI investigation into the propriety of the site.[10][11]
For anyone wishing to have their photo removed from IsAnybodyDown, the website recommends they enlist the services of the "Takedown Hammer".[12][4] Prior to November 2nd, this service had been referred to as the "Takedown Lawyer" and required complainants pay between $200 and $300 to the allegedly independent "Takedown Lawyer" to have the offending content removed.[10][13][14][5] Marc Randazza, a prominent first amendment lawyer, has compiled evidence that the two sites are part of the same operation.[4][5][15][16][1][10] He is offering to take the case of anyone whose images were displayed on IsAnybodyDown without permission.[4][5]
Paul Alan Levy, a free speech lawyer with Public Citizen, said that it was "hard to get too excited about the rights of the host of this site." Levy also said about this case in relation to similar cases that "So far as I know, none of these extortion theories has ever been litigated to a decision." While Marc Randazza has stated that he would approach the case from either the angle of copyright infringement or private tort available under state law, Levy is skeptical about the former approach, adding his concern about "the use of copyright law as an excuse to hammer Internet speakers when the real objection is to the content."[4] The lack of a straightforward legal remedy has led to the circulation of a petition that would make such websites illegal.[17].
References
- ^ a b c "Interview with Marc Randazza and Craig Brittain". On the Media (NPR). Retrieved November 19, 2012.
- ^ "Statistics Summary for isanybodydown.com". Alexa. Retrieved 20 November 2012.
- ^ Pier Luigi Pisa. "Anybody Down: il sito per adulti che fa porno involontario (FOTO)". Huffington Post Italy. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ^ a b c d e Timothy B. Lee (November 13, 2012). ""Involuntary porn" site tests the boundaries of legal extortion". Ars Technica. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ a b c d "Creepy "Is Anybody Down?" Asshole Will Only Remove Photos He Posts of Unknowing Women For $250". Jezebel. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Chase Hoffberger. ""Involuntary porn" site charges victims to remove nude photos". Daily Dot. Retrieved November 14, 2012.
- ^ "Is Anybody Down?". Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Chance Trahan". AngelList. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Anonymous Bounty". IsAnybodyDown. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ a b c "A Takedown Of The 'Takedown Lawyer'". Above the Law. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Benton, Brian. "Who's To Blame For IsAnyoneUp?". Huffington Post. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ "Get Me Off This Site!". IsAnybodyDown. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Steinbaugh, Adam. "Craig's List: IsAnybodyDown.com and The Takedown, Hammered". Retrieved 5 November 2012.
- ^ Mazaurette, Maia. "Le Racket au Porno". GQ Magazine. Retrieved November 5, 2012.
- ^ Glover, Sam. "Extortion and Unauthorized Practice of Law — IsAnybodyDown.com". Lawyerist. Retrieved November 13, 2012.
- ^ Masnick, Mike. "Marc Randazza Goes To War Against Revenge Porn Site Over Alleged 'Takedown Lawyer' Business Model". Techdirt. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
- ^ "Help put an end to the unauthorized posting of nude/intimate material". Retrieved 14 November 2012.