Dissemination of revenge porn in Cyprus now carries a prison sentence of up to 16 years, police told Philenews.
Up until recently, the phenomenon of revenge porn came under the personal data law.
But a new stricter legislation has now come in effect, according to the electronic crime department’s Andreas Anastasiades.
Police in Cyprus investigate some 40 cases of revenge pornography annually, he added.
When it comes to minors confronted with revenge porn  the law on child pornography is activated.
Revenge porn is a criminal offence which involves revealing private sexual images or videos of an individual without their consent, in order to cause them distress.
It is often preceded by blackmail – where the perpetrator threatens to release private sexual footage unless their demands are met.
Revenge porn can be disclosed in many forms, including by text or email to an individual’s friends and family, posted on social media or uploaded to pornographic websites.