Hackers Threaten to Leak Nudes of Emma Watson

So much for standing up for gender parity.

Hackers have threatened to leak nude photos of young actress (and world treasure) Emma Watson for daring to speak up for women's rights. If only we could wave a magic wand and make these jerks disappear.

Slate Magazine reports the "Harry Potter" actress gave a speech on September 21 supporting the HeForShe campaign, a project run by the U.N. Women in support of women's equality. The Goodwill Ambassador for U.N. Women denounced the impact that rigid gender roles have on both genders.

"If men don't have to be aggressive in order to be accepted women won't feel compelled to be submissive," said Watson. "If men don't have to control, women won't have to be controlled. Both men and women should feel free to be sensitive. Both men and women should feel free to be strong... It is time that we all perceive gender on a spectrum, not as two opposing sets of ideals."

Watson said she became a feminist after realizing that, "at 14, I started being sexualized by certain elements of the media."

The hackers at 4chan, the group that has stolen and leaked celebrity's nude photos, targeted Watson with the website, "Emma You Are Next," saying they'll leak her nude selfies as well.

The Washington Post reports that while this is likely just a hoax, the countdown clock is ticking down the five days until the release of these alleged photos. Users also circulated fake reports of Watson's death on Twitter, saying that the 24-year-old actress had been found dead in a hotel room.

Vox.com notes the speech generated a deluge of gleeful threats against Watson on 4chan and Reddit, with commenters stating that, "Feminism is a growing cancer," and "If only her nudes got leaked and she had the load on her face. Her feminism kick would be over."

Vox.com says that the threats against Watson are an attack on all of us, as they further the idea that a woman's decision to participate in public life puts her at risk of violence or rape.