The iPhones of Hollywood are safe once more! CNN reports that the FBI has arrested the man they believe is the hacker responsible for tapping into the mobile devices and email accounts of Scarlett Johansson, Mila Kunis, Christina Aguilera and a bevy of other beauties -- and, in some cases, leaking nude photos of the celebs online.
Christopher Chaney, a 35-year-old resident of Jacksonville, Fla., has been charged with hijacking the Google, Apple and Yahoo! email accounts of over 50 victims, including -- according to TMZ -- "dozens of celebrities." He reportedly hacked into these accounts beginning last November and December, then had the emails automatically forwarded to him from victims' cell phones and computers. TMZ's source claims that Chaney received no money, instead hacking high-profile accounts simply for the thrill of it. The FBI took him down after a year-long investigation dubbed "Operation Hackerazzi."
In recent years, there's been an epidemic of racy celeb photos leaked to the press, most of which appear to be personal smartphone pics taken by the stars themselves. Some celebrities have issued denials when the photos hit the Web (like Blake Lively, whose alleged pictures showed up in June). Others have apologized (like Vanessa Hudgens), or talked around the scandal (like Mila Kunis, whose photos were revealed stolen in September).
Last month, however, Scarlett Johansson took the bold step of confirming her leaked nude photos, and speaking out against the invasion of privacy.
"Just because you're an actor or make films or whatever doesn't mean you're not entitled to your own personal privacy," the 26-year-old actress told CNN. "If that is sieged in some way, it feels unjust. It feels wrong."
It's unknown how many of the other celebrities included in the FBI's probe -- including Lively, Selena Gomez, Demi Lovato, Jessica Alba, Busy Phillips and Emma Caulfield -- may be Chaney's victims.
Chaney has been charged with 26 counts of computer hacking, aggravated identity theft and wiretapping. If convicted, the Jacksonville hacker could face up to 121 years in prison. Presumably without email privileges.
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