By Tabitha Redder/managing editor

The Internet reminded users recently that privacy is a pleasure not equally granted to everyone.

Hackers managed to steal intimate photos from iCloud accounts belonging to celebrities such as Kate Upton, Jennifer Lawrence and Victoria Justice among others on Aug. 31. 

This is a crime in itself but also an extreme invasion of privacy.

Many have pointed the finger of blame at the victims themselves, suggesting women not take nude photos if they don’t want them spread. These critics fail to realize women don’t exist to be looked at as an object and deserve respect.

Women (yes, even celebrities) are free to take photos of themselves in the safety of their homes and shouldn’t be attacked or shown on display for the world to see.

This is a prime example of the lack of respect for women in society today and the way others feel entitled to them and their bodies.

If someone still doesn’t understand the severity of this scandal, one could ask this: Isn’t using “She was asking for it,” the same phrase rapists use when talking about a woman wearing a short skirt, or a woman mugged while walking home alone?

It is unfathomable to me why a woman should change her behavior to avoid being a victim in this situation. These women did nothing wrong.

Many Internet users not only shared and saved the photos stolen from these celebrities’ private accounts but even praised the hacker. Some of the Twitter comments about this issue were honestly disgusting. 

The rate at which these photos spread was truly alarming, a direct reflection of how vulnerable women are and a depiction of the massive gender issues that still exist in this country.

Instead of telling women not to take photographs of themselves, shouldn’t we tell hackers not to exploit women and steal their personal property? Stop blaming the celebrities whose privacy was compromised. Seriously, stop.

Hopefully, in the future, women will be free to do as they please in the privacy of their own homes without being taken advantage of by some loser behind a computer screen.

Until that day, the Internet will be just another place where women are treated as inferior, and we will continue to be, as The Guardian put it, “a culture that thrives on the hatred of women.”