A prestigious religious school faced criticism from parents over the creation and sharing of AI deepfake porn involving their daughters. The incident occurred at The Friends’ School in Tasmania, Australia, where several girls had their images manipulated using AI technology to produce pornographic content, according to Tasmania Police. Deepfakes involve altering a person’s appearance using AI tools to create deceptive images or videos, often for pornographic purposes.
Police disclosed that 21 victims, including two children’s parents, were informed about the situation, with five boys leaving the school for their involvement in generating and circulating child pornography. Parents expressed dismay at the lack of transparency, with many opting not to inform their daughters about the abuse.
One parent recounted learning about the scandal through her daughter in early March and later being notified by the school about her daughter’s involvement. Despite police intervention, the school suggested withholding information from the children to protect them, a stance that some parents found troubling. Another parent shared a similar experience of astonishment upon discovering her daughter’s image had been misused to create deepfake pornography.
The affected parents revealed that AI-altered photos of the girls were shared among boys in a group chat, escalating from clothed images to explicit content. The victims’ families expressed concerns about the girls feeling isolated and unsure about seeking support following the traumatic incident.
In response, a mother wrote to Tasmania’s education minister highlighting the distress and confusion among the girls due to the lack of communication and support. The school principal assured parents of swift action in line with child safety protocols and collaboration with authorities to address the issue. However, concerns remain regarding informing the girls about the crimes and ensuring their safety and well-being.
Although no charges have been filed yet, Tasmania Police stated that the youths involved are being addressed under the Youth Justice Act. Advocates like Sofia Weerts emphasized the need to challenge societal norms perpetuating the exploitation of women and girls through technology. Recent legislation in Australia prohibits the dissemination of non-consensual deepfake adult content, underscoring the severity of such offenses.
The Friends’ School was contacted for comment on the matter.