The anti-revenge porn bill makes it illegal to post naked pics of someone else without their consent.

By Jodie Gummow / Alternet

Exes beware! Before you think about posting naked pics of your former lover following a bitter breakup, you better think twice…

This week California Governor Jerry Brown signed Senate Bill 255, making it a misdemeanor to post identifiable nude photographs of another person online without their permission with the intent to cause emotional distress or humiliation. Doing so will now be punishable by up to six months imprisonment and a $1,000 fine, AP has  reported.

The bill’s author, Sen. Anthony Cannella said up until now there has not been a tool for law enforcement to protect victims:

“Too many have had their lives upended because of an action of another that they trusted,” he said in a statement.

Cannella, a Republican, said that revenge porn is an increasing concern in the social media era particularly when photos and videos made privately can very easily make their way onto a vast array of online web sites.

The ACLU opposed the bill arguing that it impinges on freedom of speech rights, which has also been a concern in a number of other states such as Florida who rejected a similar bill this year.