200 minors' faces used in sexually explicit deepfakes in Cosenza, Italy
Over 200 minors in Acri, Italy had their faces digitally inserted into fake sexually explicit images created by peers using AI deepfake software. Approximately 1,200 altered images were distributed on social media before authorities began investigating after a parent reported discovering such an image of their child.
What happened
The Procura di Cosenza opened an investigation against unknown persons for defamation via the internet following reports of deepfake images involving minors in Acri, a municipality in the province of Cosenza.
Over 200 adolescents became unwitting victims of sexually explicit image manipulation, with approximately 1,200 modified images created using AI-based deepfake software by other minors, their peers and schoolmates. Clothed photos of the minors were digitally altered to create fake nude images, which were subsequently distributed on social media.
A parent discovered a modified image of their daughter online and reported it to authorities, prompting dozens of additional complaints from families of other affected minors. Carabinieri conducted searches and seized electronic devices from juveniles involved in the distribution.
Reported impact
Over 200 minors were targeted and had their images misused without consent.
Families and the local community expressed shock and disbelief at the extent of the digital manipulation affecting adolescents in their schools.
Index analysis
Freely available deepfake software enabled minors to create sexually explicit synthetic images of their peers using AI-based image synthesis techniques, combining legitimate photos with fabricated nude content.
Classification
Sources and evidence
Sources not yet published
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