'Revenge Porn' Website Operator Says He's Done
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. (CBS4)- The operator of a so-called "revenge porn" website says he has bailed out of the website business and pulled the plug on his highly controversial sites that showed nude and explicit pictures of women - many from Colorado - who didn't consent to their private photos being displayed on Craig Brittain's websites.
"The websites are over, no further statements will be released," said Craig Brittain, via text message Wednesday to CBS4 Investigator Brian Maass.
On his twitter feed, the Colorado Springs man said the same thing.
"I have chosen right over wrong and ended the websites, 3 days ago. They will never again be used for RP(revenge porn) or any sort of adult content, nor for anything offensive. Only for good."
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Brittain went on to say he was 'becoming a professional investigator'.
In February and March, a series of CBS4 Investigations revealed Brittain was the man behind the Colorado Springs based revenge porn website that was procuring explicit photos, primarily of women, and then displaying them publicly. The CBS4 Investigations revealed that Brittain was masquerading as a woman to trick other women into sending him revealing photos, that he then put on his site.
Women were outraged that Brittain somehow hijacked their most intimate photos.
"It was definitely shocking," said Sarah, a 20-year-old Denver resident who took revealing photos for her boyfriend only to find her private photos on Brittain's website.
Brittain estimated he had procured private photos of some 700 women.
"I call it entertainment," said the 28-year-old Colorado Springs resident. "We don't want anyone shamed or hurt we just want the pictures there for entertainment purposes and business. I would say our business goal is to become big and profitable."
But the CBS4 Investigation prompted one major federal agency to say it was looking into Brittain's business practices with an eye toward shutting down Brittain's websites over privacy concerns.
Andrew Contiguglia, a Denver-based lawyer who represents several women whose photos Brittain posted without their permission or consent, said closing down the websites did not necessarily mean an end to legal action against Brittain.
"Law was already broken," said Contiguglia. "We have screen captures of everything. We will see what the clients want to do."
- Written by Brian Maass for CBSDenver.com
