A Sydney high school is embroiled in a deepfake pornography crisis just weeks before the first semester of the 2025 school year begins.
A grade 12 student allegedly used artificial intelligence (AI) to create pornographic images of female students, causing chaos at the school in the city’s southwest.
The teen allegedly used real photographs, some of which were from school activities, and created fake profiles on social media.
An email sent from the NSW Department of Education to shocked parents and students to tell them what was being done regarding the alleged incident.
“The school has been informed that a Year 12 student allegedly used artificial intelligence to create a profile that resembles his daughters and others,” the email said.
‘Unfortunately innocent photographs from social media and school events have been used.
‘We want to emphasize that your daughters have done nothing wrong, there are no inappropriate actual photographs of them being used.
“Please understand that your daughters have not participated in any inappropriate charges, but rather have been victims of this situation.”
A Sydney high school is embroiled in a deepfake porn crisis just weeks before the first term of the 2025 school year begins (file image)
The student’s name was mentioned in the email, but the media was asked not to name him or the school involved to protect the names of the alleged victims.
Daily Mail Australia understands that as the matter has been referred to the police and because none of the students are currently at school, no decision has yet been made as to what action will be taken against the alleged creator of the deepfake porn.
Parents and students have been urged not to contact the student and to report any explicit content related to this case on social media platforms to police.
They have also been informed that a document with evidence is circulating that should not be shared due to its X-rated nature.
The Department for Education has referred the matter to the eSafety Commissioner, as well as the police, and is providing “ongoing support to all those involved”.
“This matter has been reported to the police and we are working closely to assist in their investigation,” a spokesperson said.
‘We do not tolerate such behavior and will take appropriate action.
“Our top priority is ensuring our students feel safe and any decisions about this student’s future participation in school will be based on that.”
Artificial intelligence (AI) was allegedly used to create pornographic images of Year 12 girls (file image)
Last August, the Senate passed a government bill targeting the creation and distribution of non-consensual deepfake pornography, paving the way for tough new criminal penalties for offenders.
The bill, which received bipartisan support in a committee review, could result in people convicted of creating the material being jailed for up to seven years.
“Digitally created and altered sexually explicit material that is shared without consent is a harmful and deeply distressing form of abuse,” Attorney General Mark Dreyfus said at the time.
Students will return to classes on February 6.