Another case of middle school students using AI and deepfake technology to create and distribute inappropriate images of their peers has come to light. This time, the incident occurred in Hadong County, Gyeongnam, following a similar situation in Busan.
The case involves five students from a local middle school who allegedly used deepfake technology to combine explicit content with photos of their female classmates. The altered images were then shared on various social media platforms. The scope of this digital abuse extends beyond a single school, with victims identified from four different middle schools in the area, totaling 12 affected students.
The creation of these manipulated images reportedly took place in various locations, including the perpetrators’ homes and internet cafes. The incident, which began in late April, only came to the attention of authorities in late July when a parent stumbled upon the disturbing content.
Upon discovery, the school reported the incident to the appropriate channels, leading to an ongoing investigation by the local police and the Gyeongnam Police Agency’s specialized cyber unit. The Hadong Education Support Office is also taking action, scheduling a meeting to address the issue and determine potential consequences for those involved.
However, the case is complicated by legal considerations. Under current laws, children between 10 and 14 years old cannot face criminal charges but may be subject to protective measures such as probation or community service.
Adding to the complexity of the situation, the school’s handling of the aftermath has raised eyebrows. Based on the victims’ expressed preferences, both the suspected perpetrators and victims continue to attend classes together, a decision that has understandably not sat well with the victims and their parents.
As similar cases of digital sex crimes alarmingly increase, so does the need for stricter laws surrounding AI, deepfakes, and similar technology. A disturbingly similar crime occurred in a Busan middle school just days before — you can read more about it below.
Middle School Students Caught Creating And Circulating Explicit Photos Of Female Students Using Deepfake
Source: Daily Hankook
