Privacy watchdog probes AI porn case at Hong Kong university
Hong Kong's privacy watchdog said Tuesday it has launched a criminal investigation into an AI-generated porn scandal at the city's oldest university, after a student was accused of creating lewd images of his female classmates and teachers.
Three people alleged over the weekend that a University of Hong Kong (HKU) law student fabricated pornographic images of at least 20 women using artificial intelligence, in what is the first high-profile case of its kind in the Chinese financial hub.
University response sparks public outrage
The university sparked outrage over a perceived lenient punishment after it said Saturday it had only sent a warning letter to the student and demanded he apologise.
But Hong Kong's Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data said Tuesday that disclosing someone else's personal data without consent, and with an intent to cause harm, could be an offence.
The watchdog 'has begun a criminal investigation into the incident and has no further comment at this stage', it said, without mentioning the student.
ALSO READ: Pope Leo warns AI could disrupt young minds' grip on reality
Legal loopholes leave victims without recourse
The accusers said in a statement Saturday that Hong Kong law only criminalises the distribution of 'intimate images', including those created with AI, but not the generation of them.
There is no allegation so far that the student spread the deepfake images, and so 'victims are unable to seek punishment… through Hong Kong's criminal justice system', they wrote.
The accusers said a friend discovered the images on the student's laptop.
Experts warn of a broader emerging threat
Experts warn the alleged use of AI in the scandal may be the tip of a 'very large iceberg' surrounding non-consensual imagery.
'The HKU case shows clearly that anyone could be a perpetrator, no space is 100 percent safe,' Annie Chan, a former associate professor at Hong Kong's Lingnan University, told AFP.
ALSO READ: Man who created fake explicit images of Ramaphosa and Cele sentenced to 5 years
Advocates call for urgent legal reform
Women's rights advocates said Hong Kong was 'lagging behind' in terms of legal protections.
'Some people who seek our help feel wronged, because they never took those photos,' said Doris Chong, executive director at the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women, referring to cases at the group's crisis centre.
'The AI generations are so life-like that their circulation would be very upsetting.'
Asked about the case at a Tuesday press briefing, Hong Kong leader John Lee said most of the city's laws 'are applicable to activities on the internet'.
HKU said on Saturday it will review the case and take further action if appropriate.
NOW READ: Scary new deepfake app can turn you into a pornstar without your consent
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
13 minutes ago
- The South African
Newspaper headlines from around the world - Friday, 18 July 2025
Here are the stories that made headlines on the front pages of newspapers worldwide on Friday, 18 July 2025. The New York Times front page reported that China is investing billions to catch up in the AI race. The Washington Post reported that a Brazilian judge is in Trump's sights. The Jerusalem Post's front page reported that Shas ministers have officially resigned. China Daily's front page reported progress in intellectual property protection for more foreign innovators. The Daily Mail's front page reported that police will use facial recognition cameras at Notting Hill Carnival. The Guardian's front page reported that Labour has suspended Diane Abbott for a second time. If you wish to stay up-to-date – for FREE – on the latest international and South African news, then bookmark The South African website for all that plus the latest in the world of finance, sport, lifestyle – and more. Did we mention it was 100% free to read …?
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
Unchecked AI is already wreaking havoc in the real world
AI is now used to create fake nudes, spread propaganda and blackmail victims. Some have died. Where are the safeguards? In the classic movie 2001: A Space Odyssey, one of the central characters is HAL (Heuristically Programmed Algorithmic Computer), described as a sentient artificial general intelligence (AI) computer. It's responsible for the functioning of the Discovery One spacecraft – until it isn't and starts acting up in unpredictable ways. It's difficult to believe that this warning about the malign possible behaviour of AI premiered 57 years ago. Director Stanley Kubrick and author Arthur C Clarke's vision of the future is coming true before our eyes, as AI starts misbehaving or being used by humans for anti-social and illegal behaviour. ALSO READ: GirlCode Hackathon set to empower women in tech across Africa Today, we report on how AI programmes and sites are being used to fake nude and sexually suggestive images of young people, who are then blackmailed by the creators. Some of the victims have committed suicide. Then there is AI propaganda – alleged to be spread by Russian 'bots' – which seeks to portray Burkina Faso's military dictator, Ebrahim Traore, as an African messiah as he supposedly opposes 'Western colonialism'. In both cases, AI produces material which is believable, easily hoodwinking the casual observer. ALSO READ: Meet the South African who started a Silicon Valley AI firm at 22, made it on Forbes and won a Google award Is it not time our lawmakers started putting in place laws to control what could be a major threat to society as we know it?
IOL News
19 hours ago
- IOL News
Female student expelled In China over sex with foreigner: University says it hurt 'national dignity'
Social media has reacted with outrage as a Chinese student was expelled for a sexual encounter with foreign visitor. A female university student in China is facing expulsion after being accused of 'hurting national dignity' for having a consensual one-night stand with a foreign visitor in a case that has sparked widespread outrage and accusations of blatant gender discrimination. According to the South China News, the student, surnamed Li, reportedly had a brief encounter with 37-year-old Ukrainian ex-pro gamer Danylo Teslenko, also known as 'Zeus,' during his visit to Shanghai in December 2024. Teslenko later shared intimate photos and videos in his online fan group, allegedly without Li's consent. These were leaked, and her personal information - including her real name, family details, and social media accounts - was doxxed online. What followed was an onslaught of online harassment, with some men reportedly pressuring Dalian Polytechnic University to take disciplinary action. The university responded by naming Li publicly and announcing plans to expel her, citing her behaviour as 'misconduct' that brought shame on the institution and the nation.
