Legal Definitions - peeping Tom

A peeping Tom refers to an individual who secretly observes others in private situations where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, typically for the purpose of sexual gratification or to intrude upon their intimacy. This often involves looking through windows, doors, or other openings into a building or private space to spy on people engaging in personal activities, such as undressing, showering, or sexual acts.

The term also encompasses "video voyeurism," which is the act of using cameras, audio recorders, or other electronic devices to secretly record or transmit images or sounds of individuals in private settings without their knowledge or consent, particularly when they are nude, partially nude, or engaging in intimate activities. Such actions are widely prohibited by criminal laws and can also lead to civil lawsuits.

Here are some examples illustrating the concept of a peeping Tom:

• Example 1: A person repeatedly hides in the bushes outside a neighbor's home at night, using binoculars to watch them through their bedroom window as they prepare for bed and undress. The neighbor is unaware they are being observed.

  Explanation: This scenario directly illustrates a traditional "peeping Tom" act. The individual is secretly observing another person through an opening (the window) in a private residence, targeting intimate activities (undressing and preparing for bed), without the person's knowledge or consent, fulfilling the core definition.

• Example 2: An employee at a gym discovers a tiny, hidden camera disguised as a smoke detector in the women's locker room, positioned to record individuals as they change clothes or shower.

  Explanation: This example demonstrates "video voyeurism," which falls under the expanded definition of a peeping Tom. The hidden camera is a device used to secretly record individuals in a private space (a locker room) where they have a strong expectation of privacy while engaging in intimate activities (changing or showering), without their consent.

• Example 3: An individual flies a drone equipped with a high-resolution camera outside a high-rise apartment building, maneuvering it to peer directly into a resident's bathroom window while the resident is taking a bath.

  Explanation: This situation illustrates the use of technology for voyeurism. The drone's camera acts as a device to secretly observe someone in a private setting (their bathroom) during an intimate activity (bathing), without their knowledge or permission. This constitutes video voyeurism, a modern form of the "peeping Tom" offense.