A court in southwestern Spain has sentenced 15 minors to one year of probation for using artificial intelligence (AI) to create and distribute nude photos of their peers, a case that has sparked heated debate in the country about the misuse of deepfake.
Police began investigating the matter last year after some parents in the town of Almendralejo reported that fake nude photos of their daughters were being circulated in WhatsApp.
The mother of one victim said that many of the girls were terrified and had panic attacks because they were suffering from the whole situation. At first, they were afraid to speak up.
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On Tuesday, a court that handles youth offenses in the city of Badajoz said it had convicted the minors of creating images that fall within the scope of child abuse and of offenses against the moral integrity of their victims.
All 15 defendants will be under supervision for a year and will attend special courses to raise awareness about gender equality and the "responsible use of technology."
According to the court, the minors took photos of their peers from social media, and using artificial intelligence tools, they placed images of naked female bodies under the victim's face.
They then shared the fake nude photos in WhatsApp.
Police identified 15 teenagers aged between 13 and 15 who were responsible for creating and distributing the inappropriate images.
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Under Spanish law, minors under 14 cannot be charged, but their cases are sent to child protection services, which may force them to take part in “rehabilitation” courses.
In an interview with the Guardian five months ago, the mother of one of the victims recalled her shock and disbelief when her daughter showed her one of the images.
"It's a shock when you see it," the woman said. "The picture is completely realistic... If I didn't know my daughter's body, I would think this picture was real."
The Malvaluna Association, which supports victims and their families, stressed that this is a serious issue that affects the whole of society. According to the organization, emphasis should be placed on educating people about equality between men and women. In addition, proper sex education is necessaryso that children do not learn about sex from pornography, which "breeds more sexism and violence."
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Consequences for victims
Deepfake victims are psychologically affected, as the dissemination of fake nude photos can cause severe anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem. The feeling that their personal image has been tampered with and distributed without their consent can be extremely traumatic.
See also:Instagram: Blurs nude photos to protect teens
Their social lives may also be negatively affected, as they may face isolation, mockery and bullying from their peers. Their reputation within the school community and beyond may be seriously damaged.
Their academic performance may also be affected, as the psychological burden and social pressure resulting from the distribution of nude photosmay make it difficult for minors to concentrate and participate in classes.
Finally, family relationships may also be affected, as parents and siblings may be concerned about their safety and well-being. Support from family is crucial, but the condition can cause conflict and stress within the family environment.
Source: www.theguardian.com
