Taking down 'revenge porn' sites - a crusade I wholeheartedly support

Thanks to a link provided by Robb Allen, we learn of an Australian Web site of the 'revenge porn' variety.  The owner's now running scared after being exposed for the scumbag he is.  (I apologize for posting the rather profane name of his Web site, but it's relevant to the report.)

WhozaCunt.com is a revenge porn site “dedicated to helping you get even with bitches and assholes and give them what’s coming to them! [...] Make them famous – they deserve it!”  Having posted the nude photos of men and women against their will, the site subjects its victims to a bizarre ‘takedown’ ritual.  The site’s takedown policy requires victims themselves (and not a lawyer or family member) to provide a copy of their photo ID, another photo of the victim to prove they’re making the request, ”proof” of the date the images were taken, and a “counter declaration,” without elaborating what the victim is supposed to declare.

When victims complained, the site would post their full emails, along with their photo IDs, and state opaquely that they had failed to comply with the takedown process.

. . .

When challenged, the site takes an aggressive stance to increase the humiliation of its victims.  One woman and her parents complained to the Illinois Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division, alleging that Whozacunt.com was refusing to remove nude photos of somebody else (and posted under the victim’s name).  The day after Whozacunt.com received a letter from the Consumer Protection Division, a new site arose using a domain consisting of the young woman’s full name, along with her nude photos.

. . .

Mark Harold Stafford is a graying website designer residing in Tocumwal, a small town on the banks of the Murray River in New South Wales, Australia.  Stafford may also reside in Melboure, the capitol of Victoria — a state which has criminalized revenge porn.

Stafford is the sole proprietor of “OZWWWEB“, a web design outfit that apparently specializes in designing websites with a style that should have died with Geocities.

Stafford was, at one time, a professional pigeon racer.

. . .

In sum, the evidence suggests that, contrary to Stafford’s assertions that he knows “nothing” about the website, he at a minimum is connected to it, likely designed it, and probably runs it himself. Of course, the only way to know whether he runs the site would be if he admitted as much.  Until then, the evidence speaks for itself, and his demonstrably false denials can inform us whether he should be believed in whole.

There's more at the link.  I'd be particularly grateful if my Australian readers would please spread the word about this bastard, and do what you can to 'name and shame' him.  (If you get a chance to kick him in the goolies good and proper, please do so a second time on my behalf.  Thanks!)

The person who exposed Mr. Stafford is Adam Steinbaugh, who writes about his crusade:

Over the past year or so, I’ve been writing a series of investigative pieces documenting who I believed was operating so-called “revenge porn” sites.

. . .

With few exceptions, the people operating these websites go to differing lengths to obscure who is running the site.  There’s a reason for that.  Their friends, family, significant others, and professional associates probably wouldn’t be as supportive if they knew about their hobby of humiliation for profit.  So, too, would victims, lawyers, occasionally law enforcement, and the John Q. Public like to know who runs these sites, and why they run them: is it because they’re embarrassed, because they fear lawsuits, or because they’re engaging in outright extortion?

And I would like to know, too.  While there’s a debate to be had about the First Amendment implications of revenge porn, one thing is certain: more speech criticizing these sites, their practices, and their owners is protected.  Exposing and criticizing owners pressures them to end their practice, deters others from starting sites, and guides law enforcement, lawyers, and victims in locating the owners.

Thus far, I’ve written about IsAnybodyDown’s Craig Brittain, Texxxan’s Hunter Taylor, YouGotPosted’s Kevin Bollaert, and WinByState’s Casey Meyering.  One of these sites shut down voluntarily, two others after being sued, and two of these owners are facing extortion charges.

. . .

By my count, three dedicated revenge porn sites remain.  I know who owns each of these sites and, often, the people who support them.  They should and — if their sites remain online — will be criticized.

Again, more at the link, including links to more details about the other Web sites he mentions.

Mr. Steinbaugh doesn't have a 'Donate' button on his blog, or I'd already have clicked it.  If he ever needs funds to continue his crusade, he can start with me - and if I ever have the pleasure of meeting him, dinner and drinks are on me.  Thank you, Sir, and well done!

Peter