Deepfake explicit images of Sydney high school female students circulated online
Police opened an investigation after digitally altered explicit images of female students from a Sydney high school were circulated online and reported by a male student. The incident prompted discussions among education and police authorities amid broader concerns about deepfake image-based abuse affecting Australian schools at an increasing rate.
What happened
Digitally altered explicit images using the faces of female students from a Sydney high school were circulated online. A male student who was sent the images reported it to his school, after which families attended Eastwood Police Station.
Reported impact
The eSafety Commissioner stated that deepfake image-based abuse reports have doubled across Australia over the past 18 months, with at least one incident emerging from Australian schools each week. The NSW Department of Education said deepfakes present significant new risks to student wellbeing and privacy.
Index analysis
Officers from Ryde Police Area Command commenced an investigation. The eSafety Commissioner confirmed investigators were in talks with NSW Police and the NSW Department of Education over the circulation of the digitally altered explicit images.
Governance controls
The NSW Department of Education said the school was working closely with police and would take strong disciplinary action if any student was found to have engaged in the behaviour. Legislation passed by NSW Parliament last month made the production of sexually explicit deepfakes of a real, identifiable person without consent punishable by up to three years' jail.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.