Sydney schoolgirl targeted with nonconsensual deepfake porn
A Year 12 student at a Sydney high school was accused of using AI deepfake technology to create and distribute explicit images of female classmates on fake social media profiles in January 2025. The incident reportedly caused significant emotional distress to the victims and was referred to police for investigation.
What happened
A Year 12 male student at a south-west Sydney high school was accused of using artificial intelligence to create explicit deepfake images of female classmates and posting them on fake social media profiles. The images were reportedly made from innocent photos sourced from social media and school events.
Reported impact
The victims reportedly experienced significant emotional distress, including feelings of anxiety, distress and humiliation. The NSW Department of Education notified parents and confirmed that the girls had done nothing wrong and had not engaged in any inappropriate behaviour.
Index analysis
The rise of easily accessible 'nudifying' apps has made it simpler for individuals to create deepfake content. The incident reflects gaps in awareness and application of Australia's laws criminalising the sharing of non-consensual pornography.
Governance controls
The matter was referred to NSW Police and the eSafety Commissioner for investigation. The NSW Department of Education stated it would take appropriate action and is providing wellbeing support to affected students.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.