What Happens if you Masturbate on Zoom?

Masturbating on Zoom, especially in a work setting, can have serious legal ramifications. The legality of this action depends on various factors such as consent, the context in which it occurs, and local laws. Here are some key legal considerations:

Consent: If such an act is performed without the consent of all parties involved in the Zoom call, it could be considered a form of sexual harassment or indecent exposure. In many jurisdictions, exposing oneself without consent is illegal and can lead to criminal charges. We’d highly highly recommend against exposing yourself on camera, there’s very little to gain (no pun intended) and a lot to lose!

Workplace Regulations: In a work setting, such behavior is likely to violate company policies and professional conduct standards. Most employers have strict policies against sexual harassment and inappropriate conduct, which this would fall under. This could lead to disciplinary action, including termination of employment.

Harassment and Hostile Work Environment: This action could create a hostile work environment for others, leading to potential legal claims under sexual harassment laws. In many countries, employees are protected from sexual harassment at work, and employers are required to take action to prevent and address it.

Criminal Charges: Depending on the jurisdiction, such conduct could lead to criminal charges, especially if the act is deemed to be public indecency or lewd conduct. This is particularly relevant if the Zoom call includes minors or if the act is recorded and distributed.

Civil Lawsuits: Individuals who are subjected to such behavior may have grounds for a civil lawsuit for damages related to sexual harassment or emotional distress.

Reputational Damage: Beyond legal consequences, such behavior can cause significant reputational damage to the individual and potentially to their employer. I like to live by the motto that “everything is being recorded” and “everything that can, will end up on the Internet.”

Remember that legal consequences can vary greatly depending on the specific laws of the state or country in which the incident occurs, and the specific circumstances of the incident. Consulting with a legal professional for advice based on the specific situation is always recommended..

Relevant Examples:

Popular legal analyst Jeffrey Toobin was suspended from The New Yorker and put on leave at CNN earlier this week after an embarrassing Zoom incident (masturbating on Zoom). Thinking that his computer camera and audio was turned off, Toobin masturbated during an election simulation between The New Yorker and WNYC radio employees. Toobin claims he unknowingly exposed himself to his colleagues when he thought his camera and microphone were off.

“I am quite sure that Toobin didn’t realize that the people on the New Yorker call could see him,” Gessen said. “I suspect he thought that when the breakout rooms started, he was disconnected, and he didn’t realize we’d all returned to a live camera.” Said Masha Gessen, a New Yorker colleague to the New York Times.

Toobin isn’t the only person who has made an embarrassing mistake on zoom. Who can forget “Potato Boss,” the viral video of an unlucky boss who held a virtual meeting in Microsoft Teams as a potato because she could not figure out how to turn off the filters. The potato video made America chuckle as millions of people could relate to her struggle as they transitioned to remote work due to Covid-19.

Image Source: boredpanda.com

While many celebrities spoke out in Toobin’s defense, Toobin’s mistake isn’t just a routine struggle with technology because even if Toobin mistakenly thought his camera and microphone were off, he still knew he was participating in a work meeting. Forgiving Toobin and permitting him to return could expose his employers to liability; the definition of sexual harassment in the workplace is surely broad enough to encompass masturbating during a work meeting!

The incident also brings up an important ethical debate about the professionalism of remote workers, and a new industry of software that allows employers to monitor their workforce by requiring them to download spyware on their computers.

Have you seen or heard something embarrassing during a video conference? What do you think should happen to Toobin? Would you feel comfortable working with him?