15-year-old arrested in Palma for creating AI-generated nude images of schoolmates
Spanish police arrested a 15-year-old student in Palma for using an AI application to create realistic nude images of at least five female schoolmates from their social media photographs and distributing them among peers. Investigators classified the images as child sexual abuse material and referred the case to the minor prosecutor's office.
What happened
A 15-year-old student in Palma was arrested after downloading photographs of his female schoolmates from their social media profiles and using an AI image manipulation application to generate realistic-looking nude images.
The images were then distributed among the suspect's peer group. At least five female minors were identified as victims. The investigation began when the girls reported to the Policía Nacional that nude images purportedly depicting them were circulating among their classmates.
Reported impact
The generated images were so realistic that family members of the victims had difficulty determining whether the content was real or manipulated upon first viewing.
The victims identified themselves in the images because the original clothed photographs were from their own social media accounts, but they had never taken nude photographs.
Index analysis
Investigators concluded that the material constituted child sexual abuse material under Spanish law, as it depicted minors in sexually explicit scenarios, whether real or simulated.
The Policía Nacional reminded the public that any material depicting a person who appears to be a minor engaged in sexually explicit conduct, whether real or simulated, is classified as child pornography under the Spanish Criminal Code.
Governance controls
The minor was arrested and subsequently released. The case was referred to the Balearic Regional Minor Prosecutor's Office.
Investigators did not exclude the possibility of additional minors being involved in the creation or distribution of the images.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.