Hollywood superstars targeted in photo hack

WASHINGTON - Agence France-Presse

Photos purportedly showing Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence and more than 100 other Hollywood stars naked have leaked online by hackers.

Nude photos purportedly showing many top stars, including Oscar-winner Jennifer Lawrence and pop star Rihanna, bounced around social media on Aug. 31, in an apparent massive hacking leak, U.S. media reported. “It’s so weird and hard how people take your privacy away from you,” Lawrence said in a tweet. The actress’ agent, meanwhile, vowed to take legal action.

“This is a flagrant violation of privacy. The authorities have been contacted and will prosecute anyone who posts the stolen photos of Jennifer Lawrence,” her representative told TMZ entertainment website.

Word of the images began spreading early Aug. 31, amid reports that the photos had been obtained by hacking iCloud accounts, Mashable and other media reported. Among the celebrities whose pictures allegedly were stolen and posted online were Avril Lavigne, Amber Heard, Gabrielle Union, Hayden Panettiere and Hope Solo, according to Mashable. Media reports said among the other starlets targeted were Hillary Duff, Jenny McCarthy, Kaley Cuoco, Kate Upton, Kate Bosworth, Keke Palmer and Kim Kardashian.