A playboy model will face criminal charges for sharing a 'body-shaming' naked image of a 70-year-old women apparently taken without her consent in a gym locker room.

Dani Mathers, 29, faced an outcry after the posted an image of the woman on Snapchat with the comment "If I can't unsee this then you can't either."

Now prosecutors in Los Angeles have filed a criminal charge of invasion of privacy against her.

If found guilty she could be sentenced to up to six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

City attorney Mike Feuer said that while body shaming isn't a crime in itself, there are circumstances in which invading one's privacy to accomplish it can be.

Ms Mathers apologised and deleted her social media accounts after she was lambasted over the image taken in the locker rooms of an LA Fitness health club.

The incident was reported to police by the gym, which also revoked Ms Mathers' membership.

The model's lawyer told the LA Times that she had not broken the law.

"I am disappointed that Dani Mathers was charged with any violation," he said. "She never tried to invade anyone's privacy and never tried to violate any laws."