Out-smarting hackers at their own game. That's how actress and comedian, Whitney Cummings, is taking her power back.
The alleged hackers threatened to release a topless photo of the actress unless she paid up. But the comedian posted the extortion scheme from the alleged hackers on social media, asking, "how much would it cost to not share this photo?"
Cummings said she accidentally posted that photo on Instagram in April, but quickly deleted it. Not shying away from her humor, she said, "they must think I'm way more famous than I am, but they also must think I'm way more easily intimidated than I am."
So, Cummings posted the photo to her social platforms herself before those hackers got the chance. She did not post their names because she thought they might be "dumb kids."
In response, folks on the internet came together to support her by posting their own embarrassing pictures with #IStandWithWhitney. In return, she thanked everyone on Twitter who sent pictures to cheer her up.
Cummings is not alone with attempted online blackmailers. In June, actress Bella Thorne also posted her own topless photo on Twitter after a hacker allegedly threatened to leak them.
More than 30 states, including Georgia, have laws against a non-consensual release of sexually explicit images and videos - otherwise known as revenge porn laws. It's a misdemeanor in Georgia, punishable by up to five years on a second offense.
MORE NEWS