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California Teams With Tech Firms To Fight Cyber Exploitation

LOS ANGELES (AP) — California's attorney general has teamed with leaders in the tech industry and law enforcement to combat so-called cyber exploitation — the illegal practice of anonymously posting explicit photographs of others online, often to extort money from victims.

Kamala Harris announced Wednesday early results of a working group formed to address what she calls one of the newest threats to public safety.

The group is working to update laws, increase police training and promote victim advocacy to bring awareness to the crime that Harris says undermines privacy and basic civil rights.

A study finds 90 percent of cyber exploitation victims are women.

A new site offers resources for victims, law enforcement, and technology industry best practices.

In June a man was sentenced to three years in jail after his conviction for trying to extort money from people who wanted explicit photos removed from his website.

(Copyright 2015 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

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