Criminal investigation launched in Hong Kong over AI-generated explicit content scandal at the city's oldest educational institution.
In a recent development, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) is currently investigating a male law student accused of creating deepfake pornographic images of more than a dozen female students and teachers. The investigation was initiated after a widely circulated letter posted on Instagram by three unnamed victims.
The accused student is said to have used AI software to generate pornographic images with the faces of his victims, who were primarily students and teachers at HKU. The images, totaling over 700, were organized into folders named after the victims and included the original photos.
The images were discovered on his laptop and reported to the university in February. Outrage has grown in the wider student community, demanding more stringent action from the university. The university has issued a warning letter to the accused student and demanded a formal apology to his affected peers.
While Hong Kong criminalizes "publication or threatened publication of intimate images without consent," it does not explicitly outlaw their generation. However, existing laws and regulations related to the publication or threatened publication of intimate images without consent may be applicable. In 2021, Hong Kong introduced new offenses targeting voyeurism-related acts, including the publication or threatened publication of intimate images without consent, carrying a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment.
Advocates and lawmakers are calling for updates to the law to explicitly ban AI-generated pornographic content, citing the need to protect victims and follow examples set by other countries like South Korea. South Korea recently amended its laws, making possessing and viewing deepfake porn punishable by up to three years in prison or a fine of up to 30 million won. The maximum sentence for creating and distributing non-consensual deepfake images was increased to seven years.
The University of Hong Kong has not responded to a request for comment from NBC News, but it has told the South China Morning Post this week that it is conducting a review of the incident and will take further actions when appropriate to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment. The university has undertaken steps on behalf of the victims, including class adjustments, but the victims have expressed that the university's inaction has caused them psychological distress by forcing them to share classrooms with the suspect.
Chief Executive John Lee of Hong Kong has stated that universities have the responsibility of developing students' moral character and should deal with student misconduct seriously. Regulations in Hong Kong around the generation of deepfake porn images are currently sparse, but the recent incident at HKU has sparked calls for change and increased scrutiny on the issue.
Deepfake porn is a type of nonconsensual pornography that involves altering existing images or creating entirely new ones using AI tools to make it appear that a person has participated in sexual acts. The use of such technology to create and distribute pornographic images without consent is a growing concern worldwide, and efforts are being made to update laws and regulations to address this issue.
- The investigation into the male law student at HKU, who is accused of creating deepfake pornographic images, has also highlighted the need for updates in Hong Kong's laws, specifically regarding the explicit ban on AI-generated pornographic content.
- Advocates and lawmakers are urging for revisions in Hong Kong's regulations, similar to South Korea's amendments, to penalize possessing, viewing, and creating deepfake pornography, as the use of technology like AI in creating such images is a global concern.
