Peeping Tom laws—also known as voyeurism laws or invasion of privacy laws—generally make it illegal and a criminal offense to peek into windows or doors on private property to view a person who is fully or partially naked for the purpose of sexual desire or gratification.

Peeping Tom laws vary from state to state and some states require that the victim not realize he or she was being viewed and that the victim had a reasonable expectation of privacy (was in a place where it was reasonable to expect privacy). And some states specifically address the use of unmanned aircraft (drones), cameras, video cameras, and binoculars in connection with such peeping. Some state statutes specifically prohibit peeking into bathrooms, dressing rooms, showers, and baths. And some states characterize this criminal offense as trespassing with the intent to peer or peep.

Peeping Tom laws are located in a state’s statutes—often in the penal or criminal code.

In Alabama, Peeping Tom laws are addressed under the state's criminal code, specifically in the section concerning criminal surveillance. Alabama Code § 13A-11-32 makes it illegal for any person to engage in criminal surveillance, which is defined as 'intentionally engaging in surveillance while trespassing in a private place.' This law covers the act of observing, photographing, or filming another person without their consent in a place where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy, such as in their home or other private spaces. The law is designed to protect individuals from being viewed or recorded in situations where they are fully or partially naked and expect privacy. The use of any device, including cameras, video cameras, or other electronic means, to invade someone's privacy in this manner is prohibited. Violation of these provisions is considered a Class A misdemeanor in Alabama. The state's statutes do not specifically mention the use of drones in the context of voyeurism, but the use of any device for such purposes could fall under the general prohibition of criminal surveillance.