HKU student who allegedly made 700 AI-generated indecent images, inc. of classmates, gets warning letter
The incident came to light on Saturday after three victims anonymously posted a summary of the accusations on Instagram.
Around 20 to 30 women – including the male student's friends, university and primary school classmates, and secondary school teachers – were affected, according to the post. It identified the male student only as X.
'Some victims were close friends with X, others were mere acquaintances, and some had only met X once. It is understood that none of the victims authorized X's actions[,]' the post read.
It said that, in February, the student had admitted to using screenshots of the social media accounts of the women to generate pornographic images using free online artificial intelligence software, after his friends discovered the images in his computer.
The images were organised into folders named after the victims, the post said.
'Ragging' report
The post also said that, in March, some of the victims approached HKU, requesting the matter be handled by the university's Disciplinary Committee for 'ragging' – meaning a student having humiliated another student or interfered with their privileges or rights.
Some victims also requested class adjustments, as they set to attend the same tutorial class as the male student.
But HKU cited legal opinions in telling them that the male student likely did not commit an offence – such as ragging – that could be addressed by the Disciplinary Committee, according to the post.
Instead, HKU proposed a verbal reprimand and warning letter, the post said.
Warning letter
In a Saturday press release, HKU said: 'The University has kept in communication with the affected students and with the consideration of taking care of their well-being, the University has taken various steps, including class adjustments, to address their needs.'
'As for the student engaged in the alleged behaviour, the University has already issued him a warning letter and demanded [he make] a formal apology to his affected peers.'
HKU claimed it had a zero-tolerance approach to gender discrimination, harassment and misconduct, and had acted within 'the University Ordinance, Statutes, as well as relevant laws' to handle the case.
According to the Instagram post, the victims were shown the apology letter by HKU in April – however, it only amounted to about 60 words: '[M]ost victims found it insincere, expressing further dissatisfaction. Most victims also felt that the University's response was insufficient to hold X accountable[.]'
According to RTHK on Saturday, the police have yet to receive any report about the incident.
The Control of Obscene and Indecent Articles Ordinance governs the publication and distribution of obscene and indecent materials in Hong Kong, and includes digital content. Meanwhile, under section 159AAE of the Crimes Ordinance, it is unlawful to disseminate 'deepfake' intimate images of another person without their consent, punishable by up to five years behind bars.
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