AI-created fake nude images of high school girls and women in Pensacola
An 18-year-old in Pensacola reportedly used an AI app to create non-consensual fake nude images of more than a dozen girls and women from their social media photos. The images were disseminated among high school students; the creator has not been charged while a 17-year-old who distributed the images was arrested on felony charges.
What happened
An 18-year-old student at Washington High School in Pensacola used an AI app that removes clothing from photos to create fake nude images of more than a dozen girls and women. The source images were taken from the victims' social media accounts without their consent.
The fake images were discovered when a girl who had dated the young man found them on his phone, recorded a video of the pictures, and sent the video to other high school students, some of whom were not depicted in the images. The video reached the victims and their parents.
Reported impact
Victims reported being shocked and horrified by the realistic-looking altered images. One victim, Bryre Thomson, said she was overwhelmed and confused when she learned a photo of her posted at age 16 had been altered to appear nude.
Parents expressed outrage that the creator of the images had not been charged, viewing the situation as a violation of their daughters' privacy and consent. Parents noted that investigating the case has been challenging because state laws have not kept pace with the technology.
Index analysis
The incident demonstrates how accessible AI tools can be misused to create non-consensual sexual imagery. The case highlights a gap in Florida law, as the creator was not charged while the person who distributed the images received a felony charge.
Governance controls
Florida enacted a "deep fake" law in 2022 addressing such issues, but parents and victims said police indicated the law has not kept up with technology in this case.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.