Q: Can I report my ex's girlfriend for viewing my private photos without consent in WA?
I discovered that my ex allowed his new girlfriend to see my private photos without my consent. She admitted to this in a text, and I have numerous text messages as evidence. Can I file a report based on this evidence, and what legal actions can I take?
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A:
Washington is a "two-party consent" state regarding private communications. Under Washington law, it's illegal to record private communications without the consent of all parties involved. Your situation involves private photos rather than recordings, which falls under different legal protections.
Washington has a right of publicity law that protects against unauthorized use of one's "name, voice, signature, photograph, or likeness". The fact that your ex allowed his girlfriend to view your private photos without your consent could potentially violate your privacy rights. The text messages admitting to this behavior provide valuable evidence for your case.
You have several options moving forward. You could file a police report documenting this invasion of privacy, which creates an official record of the incident. You might also consider consulting with a lawyer who handles privacy cases to explore filing a civil lawsuit for damages. Washington law has strong privacy protections, and the text evidence strengthens your position. Remember to preserve all text messages and any other evidence that documents this unauthorized sharing of your private photos.
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