Nude Selfies of J Law and Kate Upton . . .

Not available here, despite the temptation. So you'll have to settle for some commercial, non-nude,
non-selfies.

The news of course is brimming with the release of nude selfies from a variety of celebrities (as many as 99 more) by hackers who cracked Apple's ICloud, and released them to a back channel of the internet, apparently for the fun and challenge of it all. You can read all about it at the link in today's "Live at Five: 09.02.14":

Kate Upton found fame from posing in sexy photos -- but after being involved in a celebrity phone hack, there are new nude images the model does not want shared out there. Like Jennifer Lawrence, Upton’s phone was hacked and nude images have leaked, her attorney confirms to Us Weekly.

"This is obviously an outrageous violation of our client Kate Upton's privacy,” attorney Lawrence Shire tells Us in a statement. “We intend to pursue anyone disseminating or duplicating these illegally obtained images to the fullest extent possible."

Both the FBI and Apple are investigating the releases, and the alleged perp is reportedly on the run:

According to Buzzfeed, Upton and Lawrence are two of many A-listers who has been hacked. Others on the list include "Problem" singer Ariana Grande, Nickelodeon star Victoria Justice, and actress Kirsten Dunst.

On Sunday, Aug. 31, after nude selfies of the Hunger Games actress surfaced, Lawrence’s spokesperson told Us in a statement: “This is a flagrant violation of privacy. The authorities have been contacted and will prosecute anyone who posts the stolen photos of Jennifer Lawrence."

Well, that is one good reason not to post them, I suppose, but the incident has touched off a useful "national conversation" on the limits of privacy and the responsibility to maintain your own level of digital privacy.

For example, comedian (loosely) Ricky Gervais was lambasted by feminists for asserting that women should be a little more careful in how they store and disseminate nude selfies:



"Celebrities, make it harder for hackers to get nude pics of you from your computer by not putting nude pics of yourself on the computer."

Tweeted Ricky Gervais, after a big naked-celebrity security leak at iCloud.

He's getting reamed for saying that.

A smarter tweet from Lena Dunham: "Remember, when you look at these pictures you are violating these women again and again. It’s not okay. Seriously, do not forget that the person who stole these pictures and leaked them is not a hacker: they’re a sex offender."

The two aren't mutually exclusive.

Althouse has apparently taken the position that, unlike a mans sperm, which can be stolen by women to get pregnant and still hold the man ransom for payment,  women need not be responsible custodians of their nude selfies (see in the comments).

Another feminist lamented the lack of men in the leaks.

From Scarlett Johansson to Jennifer Lawrence, the victims of hack attacks are almost never men—part of a bigger problem with sexist internet culture.

My guess is that Anthony Wiener aside, even male celebrities find less interest in nude pics than the female stars. That's just the way humans are built.

My own feeling on the matter is that even though it is illegal to break into a house and steal the silver, it's still stupid not to lock the door. I realize the door here is a digital one, and many people (including me) don't really understand how the technology works, but if they aren't stored on the internet (or a device connected to the internet) they can't be stolen by hackers. It's pretty simple.

Besides, most selfies are badly composed, and taken with inferior cameras. (NSFW link!)

Linked by GOODSTUFF in his 154th Blogging Magazine. Wombat-socho is on time and within budget with this weeks giant "Rule 5 Sunday: Are You Ready For Some Football?" post.