A Playboy model has been charged with invasion of privacy after taking a photo of a naked woman in a gym locker room and posting it on social media.

The Snapchat post also included an insulting comment about the 70-year-old woman's body.

Dani Mathers faced widespread criticism after sharing the photo in July with the caption: "If I can't unsee this then you can't either."

Mathers, 29, later apologised and deleted her social media accounts.

The gym, LA Fitness, reported the incident to police and revoked Mathers' membership.


If convicted, she could reportedly face up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

Image: Playboy founder and editor-in-chief Hugh Hefner poses with Dani Mathers

"Her behaviour is appalling and puts every member at risk of losing their privacy," Jill Greuling, an LA Fitness executive vice president, said at the time.

It is not clear if the elderly woman, who has not been identified, knew she was being photographed.

Mathers said in July that she posted the image accidentally.

"That was absolutely wrong and not what I meant to do," she said in an online video.

"I know that body-shaming is wrong. That is not the type of person I am."

Mathers, who was Playmate of the Year in 2015, is due to appear in court on 28 November.