Rhode Island
Rhode Island Voyeurism and Hidden Camera Laws: Penalties and 2025 Update (2026)
Independently fact-checked against primary sources (last audited August 15, 2026). · Reviewed by the RecordingLaw editorial team. · Law checked current as of August 15, 2026. · 4 primary sources cited on this page. How we verify our legal content
Rhode Island criminalizes video voyeurism under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2, which prohibits recording a person in a state of undress or engaged in sexual activity in any location where they hold a reasonable expectation of privacy. A conviction carries a penalty of up to three years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
Rhode Island treats voyeurism and hidden camera offenses as serious crimes with escalating penalties for repeat offenders. The state's video voyeurism statute under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 prohibits recording in private settings without consent. In 2025, Rhode Island expanded its unauthorized dissemination law to cover images created by a digital device or altered by digitization, wording that reaches AI-generated synthetic intimate images even though the statute does not use the term AI.
This guide covers what conduct is prohibited, penalties, the 2025 digital-imagery amendment, hidden camera scenarios, defenses, and victim remedies.
Video Voyeurism: § 11-64-2
It is a crime to use any device to view or record another person in a state of undress or engaged in sexual activity in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Penalties: up to 3 years prison and/or $5,000 fine.
Unauthorized Dissemination: § 11-64-3
R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-3 makes it illegal to distribute intimate images without consent.
| Offense | Classification | Maximum Penalty |
|---|---|---|
| First offense | Misdemeanor | 1 year prison, $1,000 fine |
| Second or subsequent base offense | Felony | 3 years prison, $3,000 fine |
| Sextortion (§ 11-64-3(e)) | Felony | 5 years prison, $5,000 fine |
| Removal-extortion (§ 11-64-3(f)) | Felony | 5 years prison, $5,000 fine |
2025 Digital-Imagery Amendment
Rhode Island amended § 11-64-3 in July 2025 (H 5046, P.L. 2025 ch. 429/430) to cover intimate images created by a digital device or altered by digitization. The amendment does not use the words AI or deepfake, but its language reaches synthetic intimate images of a real person created or shared without consent, which fall under the same penalty framework.
Hidden Camera Scenarios
Hidden cameras in rental properties, workplaces (bathrooms/locker rooms), and hotels violate the voyeurism statute. If you discover a hidden camera: document it, do not remove it, contact police, and consult the Rhode Island Attorney General.
Civil Remedies
Victims can pursue invasion of privacy claims, intentional infliction of emotional distress, injunctive relief, and restraining orders. The Rhode Island Legal Services provides free legal assistance to qualifying individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is voyeurism a crime in Rhode Island?
Yes. Video voyeurism under R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 is punishable by up to 3 years in prison and a $5,000 fine.
What is the penalty for sharing intimate images without consent in Rhode Island?
A first offense is a misdemeanor (up to 1 year and $1,000). A base second or subsequent offense is a felony (up to 3 years and $3,000 under § 11-64-3(d)). Sextortion and removal-extortion each carry up to 5 years and $5,000 under § 11-64-3(e) and (f). The 2025 amendment (H 5046 / S 0136, signed July 2, 2025) extends coverage to digitally created or digitized images, which reaches AI-generated content.
Does Rhode Island's law cover AI-generated deepfake intimate images?
In practice, yes. The 2025 update to § 11-64-3 covers images created by a digital device or altered by digitization; the statute does not name AI, but that language reaches synthetic intimate images of real people shared without consent.
Can my landlord put hidden cameras inside my apartment in Rhode Island?
No. Tenants have a reasonable expectation of privacy. Hidden cameras in rental units violate the voyeurism statute.
What should I do if I find a hidden camera in Rhode Island?
Document it, do not remove it, contact police, and consult the Rhode Island Attorney General's office or an attorney about civil remedies.
Updates
Reworded the 2025 amendment coverage to quote the statutes actual digital-device and digitization language rather than branding it an AI deepfake law.
Independently fact-checked against the cited primary sources; governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Governing law re-checked for recent changes
Reviewed and approved by an editor
The Law Behind This Article
This article rests on the statutory provisions below, held in our own legal record and retrieved from the official source. Tap a section to read the operative text.
Rhode Island General Laws, Title 11: Criminal Offenses, Chapter 11-64: Electronic Imaging Devices
§ 11-64-2Video voyeurismIn forcecited in 9 of our articles
(1) A person is guilty of video voyeurism when, for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or stimulation, such person: (a) Uses, installs or permits the use or installation of an imaging device to capture, record, store or transmit visual images of the intimate areas of another person without that other person’s knowledge and consent, and under circumstances in which that other person would have a reasonable expectation of privacy. (b) Intentionally, and with knowledge that the image was obtained in violation of subsection (a), disseminates, publishes, or sells such image of the captured representation of another person or persons depicted in the representation or reproduction, and who did not consent to the dissemination, publication or sale. (2) A person is also guilty of video voyeurism when that person, for the purpose of sexual arousal, gratification or stimulation, looks into an occupied dwelling or other building by use of an imaging device that provides images of the interior of a dwelling.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-31 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at webserver.rilegislature.gov
Cited in 1 court opinions in our collectionLatest citing opinion in our collection: 2014
Opinions citing this section in our collection:
- United States v. Thoms (U S Coast Guard Court of Criminal Appeals 2014)“…2C:14-9 (West 2013); 18 Pa. Cons. Stat. § 7507.1 (2012); R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 (2004); S.C. Code Ann. § 16-17-470 (201…”
Identified automatically from the court opinions citing this section — not a ranking of which case controls.
Also relied on in: Rhode Island Video Recording Laws: Surveillance, Filming, and Privacy Rules (2026), Rhode Island Smart Glasses Recording Laws 2026, Rhode Island Security Camera Laws: Home, Business, and HOA Rules (2026)
§ 11-64-3Unauthorized dissemination of indecent materialIn forcecited in 7 of our articles
(a) A person is guilty of unauthorized dissemination of a sexually explicit visual image of another person when the person intentionally, by any means, disseminates, publishes, or sells: (1) A visual image that depicts another identifiable person eighteen (18) years or older engaged in sexually explicit conduct or of the intimate areas of that person including any image created by a digital device or altered by digitization; (2) The visual image was made, captured, recorded, or obtained under circumstances in which a reasonable person would know or understand that the image was to remain private or created without the consent of the person; (3) The visual image was disseminated, published, or sold without the consent of the depicted person; and (4) With knowledge or with reckless disregard for the likelihood that the depicted person will suffer harm, or with the intent to harass, intimidate, threaten, or coerce the depicted person.
Official text (excerpt) · last checked 2026-08-30 · Read the full text in our law library · Verify at webserver.rilegislature.gov
Also relied on in: Rhode Island Recording Laws (2026): One-Party Consent Rules, Rhode Island Deepfake Laws: AI Images, Voice Cloning & Penalties (2026), Rhode Island Sexting Laws: Legal Consequences and Penalties
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Sources and References
- R.I. § 11-64-2(law.justia.com)
- RI Attorney General(riag.ri.gov).gov
- RI General Assembly(rilegislature.gov).gov
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-2 - Video Voyeurism(webserver.rilegislature.gov).gov
- R.I. Gen. Laws § 11-64-3 - Unauthorized Dissemination(webserver.rilegislature.gov).gov
- Rhode Island Legal Services(rils.org)