‘The Most Hated Man on the Internet,’ currently available on Netflix, delves into an online world of betrayal and retaliation as it tracks the narrative of a mother fighting for justice for her daughter.
The series sheds light on Hunter Moore, known as “the monarch of revenge porn” who gained notoriety with his website IsAnyoneUp.com where he shared stolen nude photos of individuals without their consent.
Through compelling storytelling, it showcases the extent to which Moore would go to retain control over his website and those impacted by his actions.
If you’re seeking another enthralling true crime documentary detailing a stunning internet phenomenon, this is a must-watch.
Moore was previously the main figure of his own website, but in 2012, he vanished from the internet completely.
After a few years off the public radar, Moore re-emerged with a story of resilience and personal strength that deserves to be heard.
Though details are limited at this juncture, one thing is certain: Moore has left an enduring impact that will hold readers captive for years to come.
Hunty Moore
Where is Hunty Moore Now?
Nicknamed the “most hated man on the internet,” Hunty Edward Moore is a convicted criminal from Sacramento, California who shot to notoriety in 2010 with his website, Is Anyone Up? allowing users to post sexually explicit photos of people online without their consent.
Moore refers to himself as a “professional life ruiner,” comparing himself to Charles Manson.
Despite pleas from victims and their families, Moore refused to remove the pictures and even went as far as paying hackers for private photos of those who had fallen victim to his cruel scheme.
He often cited legal protection provided by websites like Facebook and carried out his malicious activities unchecked for 16 months before finally shutting down Is Anyone Up?
In 2012, the FBI launched an investigation into Moore after receiving information from a victim’s mother, leading to the closure of his website and its sale to an anti-bullying group.
By February 2015, he had pleaded guilty to felonies for aggravated identity theft and unauthorized access of a computer and was sentenced in November 2015 to two years and six months in prison as well as a fine and restitution amount.
His eventual release from prison came in May 2017. Five years later in 2022, Netflix released The Most Despised Man on the Internet, a docuseries about him – although Hunty Moore initially accepted to take part, he eventually declined.
The series proved popular with viewers, reaching No. 3 on the Netflix top 10 list.
Who is Hunty Moore?
Hunty Moore, born in March 1986, had a distinctive upbringing in Woodland, California. After a brief stint at Woodland Christian School and subsequent expulsion, he pivoted, embarking on an entrepreneurial journey with the launch of Is Anyone Up? in 2010.
Originally conceived as a nightlife website, the venture shifted course after Moore and his friends received explicit photos and videos from some women they knew.
From there, the website expanded to feature revealing content from non-professional models – all linked to their social media profiles for added drama.
Many of the subjects whose photos were shared on Moore’s website felt aggravated and incensed, as they hadn’t given consent.
In some instances, the images used were obtained through hacking or unauthorized sharing by ex-partners as part of retaliation.
This led to the coining of the term “revenge porn” to define this type of content. It was reported that Moore refused to comply with cease-and-desist letters, typically responding with a sarcastic “LOL” and arguing how he was legally shielded from repercussions due to his activities.
Therefore, this situation underscores the need for consent regarding online content and further cyber security measures.
Examining the repercussions of Moore’s actions, it becomes evident why he was branded “the Net’s most hated man” and “the most despised man on the Internet.”
His website generated substantial revenue each month but also drew public humiliation and negativity.
He even faced severe physical retaliation; a woman affected by his site stabbed him with a pen, prompting him to move in with his grandmother to protect himself from death threats.
These details further illustrate why Moore garnered such infamy over the years.
On April 19th, 2012, the website FreeBlake.com underwent a significant transformation following its sale to James McGibney’s anti-bullying group.
Initially designed to feature adult film star Blake Mitchell’s pornography, the site was completely overhauled, and all traces of its former content vanished after it was sold.
It now redirects visitors to McGibney’s official anti-bullying website, BullyVille.com, proving the potential for redemption – even in the realm of online domains!
FBI investigation
In 2012, Charlotte Laws discovered that her daughter had become a victim of hacking-related crime when nude photos of her were posted on the website isanyoneup.com.
Appalled, Laws set out to track down the perpetrators responsible and seek justice. Over two years, she conducted an extensive investigation and reached out to over forty victims, collecting evidence to present to the FBI.
With her perseverance and poise, she ultimately identified wrongdoers Hunter Moore and “Gary Jones” as the perpetrators – setting an inspiring precedent for victims everywhere.
Moore was incensed when rumors of his FBI investigation started to leak out to the public. He declared that he would immediately buy a first-class plane ticket, obtain a gun upon arrival in New York, and ‘kill whoever” mentioned his FBI investigation.
His anger escalated further when The Village Voice reported on the story; he threatened to burn down their headquarters if they didn’t retract the story.
Although these threats were not carried out, New Yorkers rightfully treated them with caution.
Indictment
January 23, 2014, was a turning point for the then 31-year-old Hunter Moore – as he was indicted in federal court in California following his arrest by the FBI on charges that included aggravated identity theft and conspiracy.
It was revealed that Moore had been trying to unlawfully obtain people’s nude images without their consent for years.
After a two-day stay at Sacramento County Jail and being granted a $100,000 bond, he was instructed to dismantle his archives held for the Is Anyone Up? database while being monitored by law enforcement.
Ultimately, these events served as a stark reminder of why crimes like these are so grave.
On January 24th, 2015, after a year of unexpected silence, tweets began to appear on the account of famous actor, comedian, and musician Seth Moore, reigniting fans with an unsuspecting glimmer of hope.
Yet this excitement was short-lived as it was revealed that Moore himself had no control over his account; it had either been taken over or hacked.
Fans were left to ponder how anyone could gain control over such a widely-followed celebrity who seemed so securely removed from all forms of social media. Luckily for Moore–and his loyal fan base–he eventually regained control of his account without anything too damaging occurring in between.
Guilty plea
On February 18, 2015, one individual’s actions had far-reaching consequences. In a plea agreement with the Central District of California U.S. Attorney’s Office, Geoffrey Moore admitted to engaging in aggravated identity theft and aiding and abetting the unauthorized access of a computer.
Following a stern sentence, which included two to seven years in prison and up to $500,000 in fines, Moore was also burdened with other mandates such as three years probation, a minimal $2,000 fine, and restitution amounting to about $145.70.
Additionally, he was also handed an ultimatum that all records on his seized computers must be destroyed immediately.
Overall, there were severe repercussions for this criminal’s actions—hopefully serving as a deterrent example for potential offenders.
On July 2, 2015, Charles Evens joined the growing list of internet security violators when he pleaded guilty to computer hacking and identity theft charges.
Evens confessed to unlawfully accessing hundreds of women’s email accounts with malicious intent and selling the stolen images he obtained to Moore.
This flagrant violation of digital privacy exposed Evens to a potential jail term of up to seven years – a heavy price to pay for carelessly violating other people’s right to privacy and peace of mind.
Conviction and sentencing
Evans and Moore received starkly different sentences for their crimes on November 16, 2015.
Evens was sentenced to two years and one month of imprisonment, a $2,000 dollar fine, and restitution of $147.50.
Conversely, Moore was ordered to 21⁄2 years in federal prison, followed by three years of supervised release and a mental health evaluation during his period of incarceration. Fortunately for Moore, he was released from prison in September 2017 after serving his time.
Defamation judgment
On March 8, 2013, James McGibney, the founder of Bullyville, won a significant court case against a man named Moore.
Moore had made multiple derogatory claims, most notably calling McGibney a “pedophile” and threatening to rape his wife. Finally, justice was served when Judge Ned Kelly ruled in favor of McGibney, who was awarded a substantial $350,000 in damages.
This marked a huge win for cyberbullying victims everywhere, demonstrating that defamation and slander will not go unpunished.
