Latest news with #DeSouza
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
UK government urged to introduce GCSE in Ukrainian for child refugees
The children's commissioner has joined Kyiv in lobbying the UK government to introduce a new GCSE in Ukrainian to help child refugees cope with the 'immense upheaval' of fleeing war in their country. In December, the Guardian revealed that Ukraine was 'deeply concerned' to discover many Ukrainian teenagers are being pressed into learning Russian in British schools because no GSCE in Ukrainian is available. Since then Ukraine's education minister, Oksen Lisovyi, has met the UK education secretary, Bridget Phillipson, to underline his government's fear that being taught Russian is retraumatising Ukrainian teenagers who have fled Vladimir Putin's invasion. Vitalii, now 18, who fled to London from Ukraine in April 2022, said: 'Why should I study Russian – I'm Ukrainian and I want to show it. The language is paramount for all us.' Since the meeting with Lisovyi, Phillipson confirmed on Instagram this week that she has written to exam boards urging them to reintroduce an exam that was scrapped in 1995 owing to a lack of demand. The Department for Education (DfE) has also set up a working group to help implement the move. One of the exam boards, AQA, said it was carefully considering reintroducing the qualification. But education sector insiders are sceptical about the practicalities of the move. It has also emerged the children's commissioner, Rachel de Souza, has been urging the government to reintroduce a GCSE in Ukrainain. She intervened after visiting St Mary's, a network of 13 Ukrainian language schools in the UK, founded at the trust's headquarters in west London. De Souza said: 'I've seen for myself the great work St Mary's Ukrainian School is doing with the children who attend. It has become a sanctuary for families, helping displaced children reach their goals and aspirations in spite of the immense upheaval they've experienced.' De Souza said she was encouraged by the DfE's decision to take up the issue with exam boards. She said: 'I have long called for the DfE to consider making qualifications available in Ukrainian for these children, who rightly want an opportunity to feel proud of their culture and their language, so I am really pleased to see this. 'Ukrainian children living here in the UK are the future of their country and will play a vital role in its recovery, so we must match their level of ambition and make sure they receive all the support possible to thrive in their education.' An AQA spokesperson said: 'We've every sympathy with Ukrainian students who, through no fault of their own, find themselves many miles from home and want to gain formal accreditation of their language. 'As an education charity, we stand ready to do what we can to support Ukrainian students. We have received a letter from the education secretary about developing a GCSE in the Ukrainian language and are considering it carefully.' But an education industry source said: 'Realistically it takes two years to develop a qualification, it takes another two years to teach it. So a GCSE is not going to help students who are currently here who have fled Ukraine.' St Mary's has proposed becoming a hub for both GCSE and A-level qualifications in Ukrainian. In a letter to Phillipson, Ukraine's ministry of education backed this suggestion. It said: 'Establishing a Ukrainian GCSE centre will provide these children with opportunities to take Ukrainian GCSE and A-level exams, supporting their educational and professional goals.' Related: 'They can really fly': how to teach a refugee child It also pointed out that demand for the qualification has soared owing to the number of children that have fled to the UK under the Homes for Ukraine scheme. It said: 'As of now, the number of potential students of Ukrainian descent interested in pursuing Ukrainian GCSE is at an all-time high: about 27,000 displaced Ukrainian children and around 7,000 diaspora children.' It added: 'Maintaining proficiency in Ukrainian is crucial for displaced children's transition back to Ukraine, especially as many families may decide to reunite when it is safe.' A DfE spokesperson said: 'This government has set out our decisive support for our Ukrainian friends. That's why we have, last week, asked exam boards to consider introducing a Ukrainian GCSE – giving these young people the chance to celebrate their heritage and their native language.'
Epoch Times
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Children's Commissioner Calls for Ban on AI ‘Nudification' Apps
The children's commissioner has called on the government to ban tools using deepfake technology to create naked images of children. Bespoke nudification apps enable users to generate sexually explicit images of real people, bringing 'alarming risks' to children's safety online, Dame Rachel de Souza has warned. In a The report highlights how girls and young women are disproportionately targeted by such technology. One 16-year-old girl While it is illegal to possess AI-generated sexual images of children, current laws do not prohibit the AI models that produce them. Related Stories 4/24/2025 3/3/2025 De Souza has called on ministers to outlaw nudification apps entirely and to tighten regulations to hold technology providers accountable. 'The online world is revolutionary and quickly evolving, but there is no positive reason for these particular apps to exist. They have no place in our society. 'Tools using deepfake technology to create naked images of children should not be legal and I'm calling on the government to take decisive action to ban them, instead of allowing them to go unchecked with extreme real-world consequences,' she said. Existing Legislation In early 2025, the government announced plans to extend protections against AI-generated sexual content involving adults through the Data Use and Access Bill, alongside measures in the Crime and Policing Bill. Both pieces of legislation remain under parliamentary review. However, these laws focus on criminalising individuals who create or share such content and stop short of banning the AI technology itself. Under the Online Safety Act 2023, online platforms must prevent UK users from accessing illegal material, including child sexual abuse content. The Act also requires tech companies to protect children from harmful material, such as pornography. Further protections are due in July 2025 when The children's commissioner's report warned that without decisive legislative action, children will remain at risk from emerging AI threats. Growing Risks of Deepfake Technology An estimated 99 percent of sexually explicit deepfakes circulating online feature women and girls. These AI tools are often trained on vast datasets of solely female bodies. While high-profile women, like Emma Watson, Scarlett Johansson, and Millie Bobby Brown are frequent targets, the report warned of risks to ordinary women and schoolchildren. Children themselves are being exposed to this harmful material at alarming rates. A 2024 survey by Another study by Girlguiding found that more than a quarter of 13-18-year-olds had encountered sexually explicit deepfakes of celebrities, friends, teachers—or even themselves. The report also found that children with vulnerabilities are disproportionately at risk, with 25 percent reporting exposure to sexually explicit deepfakes—more than twice the rate of their non-vulnerable peers. The document cited cases where victims have experienced PTSD, suicidal thoughts, and in tragic instances, death—such as The Commissioner's Office found nudification apps openly advertised on social media platforms like Instagram, Telegram, and X (formerly Twitter), with some accounts holding X Premium status—traditionally associated with verified users. Searches on major app stores also returned nudification tools, despite previous crackdowns, while Google and Bing searches for terms like 'deep nude' or 'undress app' frequently led to explicit content within a few clicks. The rise of what Ofcom has termed the 'deepfake economy'—a network of websites, app developers, and individual users profiting from non-consensual sexual imagery—has only worsened the threat. Open-source AI models, which can be freely adapted, are being exploited to create customised nudification services, with little oversight or accountability. De Souza said children who took part in focus groups for the report had voiced fears about the misuse of nudification app technology. 'They fear that anyone—a stranger, a classmate, or even a friend—could use a smartphone as a way of manipulating them by creating a naked image using these bespoke apps,' she said.
Arab News
29-04-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Saudi Arabia steps into global spotlight at Arabian Travel Market
RIYADH: At the unveiling of its new Saudi Land pavilion during this year's Arabian Travel Market in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and AlUla in particular have turned heads. Held from April 28 to May 1 at the Dubai World Trade Center, AlUla's presence at ATM is highlighting its rapid transformation and new partnerships with industry leaders. The appearance follows the success of AlUla's first international marketing campaign under the theme 'Forever Revitalizing,' which began in early 2024. Aimed at reintroducing the world to AlUla's deep historical roots and natural beauty, the campaign ran across nine countries in six languages. Melanie de Souza, executive director of destination marketing at the Royal Commission for AlUla, said the city's global profile has grown significantly thanks to the campaign. 'Expanded airline connectivity, more hotels and a packed events calendar have all helped us keep up with growing interest,' she said in a statement. The campaign highlighted the city's ancient ruins, striking desert landscapes and growing cultural offerings through dramatic films, rich imagery and storytelling. The ancient oasis city-turned-cultural tourism hotspot welcomed more than 286,000 visitors in 2024, 72 percent of them domestic and 28 percent international. Online interest in AlUla surged, with website visits up 8.5 times and bookings climbing 220 percent, leading to a 240 percent jump in revenue. AlUla is also investing in the future. By the end of 2025, it plans to expand its accommodation capacity to more than 1,400 rooms, while committing to Vision 2030's sustainability goals. De Souza added: 'Our focus remains on developing a destination premised on sustainability and aligned with Saudi Vision 2030. At ATM, we will showcase why AlUla stands out as one of the most purposeful and forward-thinking destinations globally.' Visitors to AlUla's stand at ATM can experience a number of attractions. At the Arabian Leopard experience, guests can learn about local wildlife conservation efforts and vote to name a future leopard cub for a chance to win a two-night trip. Names are being transliterated into the ancient Dadanite script at the Echoes of AlUla attraction, while the Rawi storytelling section is a space to listen to traditional tales passed down through generations. The Saudi Tourism Authority is also showcasing the Kingdom's rich diversity at ATM, from coastal escapes to mountain retreats and world-class sporting events. Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO of the authority, said in a statement: 'We are thrilled to return to ATM, opening the doors to Saudi Land, and welcoming our valued partners from around the globe.'
The Guardian
28-04-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Commissioner calls for ban on apps that make deepfake nude images of children
Artificial intelligence 'nudification' apps that create deepfake sexual images of children should be immediately banned, amid growing fears among teenage girls that they could fall victim, the children's commissioner for England is warning. Girls said they were stopping posting images of themselves on social media out of a fear that generative AI tools could be used to digitally remove their clothes or sexualise them, according to the commissioner's report on the tools, drawing on children's experiences. Although it is illegal to create or share a sexually explicit image of a child, the technology enabling them remains legal, the report noted. 'Children have told me they are frightened by the very idea of this technology even being available, let alone used. They fear that anyone – a stranger, a classmate, or even a friend – could use a smartphone as a way of manipulating them by creating a naked image using these bespoke apps,' the commissioner, Dame Rachel de Souza, said. 'The online world is revolutionary and quickly evolving, but there is no positive reason for these particular apps to exist. They have no place in our society. Tools using deepfake technology to create naked images of children should not be legal and I'm calling on the government to take decisive action to ban them, instead of allowing them to go unchecked with extreme real-world consequences.' De Souza urged the government to introduce an AI bill that would require developers of GenAI tools to address the risks their products pose, and to roll out effective systems to remove sexually explicit deepfake images of children. This should be underpinned by policymaking that recognises deepfake sexual abuse as a form of violence against women and girls, she suggested. In the meantime, the report urges Ofcom to ensure that age verification on nudification apps is properly enforced and that social media platforms prevent sexually explicit deepfake tools being promoted to children, in line with the Online Safety Act. The report cited a 2025 survey by Girlguiding, which found that 26% of respondents aged 13 to 18 had seen a sexually explicit deepfake image of a celebrity, a friend, a teacher, or themselves. Many AI tools appear to only work on female bodies, which the report warned is fuelling a growing culture of misogyny. One 18-year-old girl told the commissioner: 'The narrative of Andrew Tate and influencers like that … backed by a quite violent and becoming more influential porn industry is making it seem that AI is something that you can use so that you can always pressure people into going out with you or doing sexual acts with you.' The report noted that there is a link between deepfake abuse and suicidal ideation and PTSD, for example in the case of Mia Janin, who died by suicide in March 2021. De Souza wrote in the report that the new technology 'confronts children with concepts they cannot yet understand', and is changing 'at such scale and speed that it can be overwhelming to try and get a grip on the danger they present'. Lawyers told the Guardian that they were seeing this reflected in an increase in cases of teenage boys getting arrested for sexual offences because they did not understand the consequences of what they were doing, for example experimenting with deepfakes, being in a WhatsApp chat where explicit images are circulating, or looking up porn featuring children their own age. Danielle Reece-Greenhalgh, a partner at the law firm Corker Binning who specialises in sexual offences and possession of indecent images, said the law was 'trying to keep up with the explosion in accessible deepfake technology', which was already posing 'a huge problem for law enforcement trying to identify and protect victims of abuse'. She noted that app bans were 'likely to stir up debate around internet freedoms', and could have a 'disproportionate impact on young men' who were playing around with AI software unaware of the consequences. Reece-Greenhalgh said that although the criminal justice system tried to take a 'commonsense view and avoid criminalising young people for crimes that resemble normal teenage behaviour … that might previously have happened behind a bike shed', arrests could be traumatic experiences and have consequences at school or in the community, as well as longer-term repercussions such as needing to be declared on an Esta form to enter the US or showing up on an advanced DBS check. Matt Hardcastle, a partner at Kingsley Napley, said there was a 'minefield for young people online' around accessing unlawful sexual and violent content. He said many parents were unaware how easy it was for children to 'access things that take them into a dark place quickly', for example nudification apps. 'They're looking at it through the eyes of a child. They're not able to see that what they're doing is potentially illegal, as well as quite harmful to you and other people as well,' he said. 'Children's brains are still developing. They have a completely different approach to risk-taking.' Marcus Johnstone, a criminal solicitor specialising in sexual offences, said he was working with an 'ever-increasing number of young people' who were drawn into these crimes. 'Often parents had no idea what was going on. They're usually young men, very rarely young females, locked away in their bedrooms and their parents think they're gaming,' he said. 'These offences didn't exist before the internet, now most sex crimes are committed online. It's created a forum for children to become criminals.' A government spokesperson said: 'Creating, possessing or distributing child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated images, is abhorrent and illegal. Under the Online Safety Act platforms of all sizes now have to remove this kind of content, or they could face significant fines. 'The UK is the first country in the world to introduce further AI child sexual abuse offences, making it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools designed to generate heinous child sexual abuse material.' In the UK, the NSPCC offers support to children on 0800 1111, and adults concerned about a child on 0808 800 5000. The National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) offers support for adult survivors on 0808 801 0331. In the US, call or text the Childhelp abuse hotline on 800-422-4453. In Australia, children, young adults, parents and teachers can contact the Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800, or Bravehearts on 1800 272 831, and adult survivors can contact Blue Knot Foundation on 1300 657 380. Other sources of help can be found at Child Helplines International
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Yahoo
NYPD cop sexted with undercover officer posing as 14-year-old girl while overseeing youth outreach program: prosecutors
An NYPD officer tasked with community youth outreach is facing charges in two boroughs for allegedly sexting an undercover cop posing as a 14-year-old girl, according to prosecutors. Travis N. DeSouza, 35, appeared in a Queens County court on Thursday, six months after appearing in a Brooklyn court, on child endangerment-related charges for sending sexually explicit messages to an undercover officer he believed to be just 14 years old, authorities said. Last October, cops set out to ensnare DeSouza in a sting operation after suspecting him of unethical behavior in his capacity as a supervisor of the Police Explorers program, a NYPD youth outreach initiative for teens and young adults between 14 and 20 years old who want to pursue a career in law enforcement, according to a complaint. An adult undercover officer approached DeSouza while posing as a youth participant in the Police Explorers program, telling the alleged perv that she was 14 years old and asking him for his phone number, the complaint stated. 'Of course, stop trying to bag me already,' the creepy cop replied to her request, according to the document. He continued the lurid overtures and innuendos via texts and social media — while explicitly acknowledging that she was a minor, officials claim. 'And I don't know even why you got me thinking things I shouldn't because of how far we are of age LOL I should be telling you to stop… but your maturity and the way you act is different,' DeSouza allegedly messaged the undercover agent on Snapchat. Eventually, DeSouza tried to seal the deal with the faux 'teen girl' by sending her a picture of himself with an erection while wearing boxer shorts, the complaint alleged. 'What's under those shorts?' the undercover agent wrote over Snapchat, according to the complaint. 'Something big, maybe more than you can handle,' DeSouza allegedly wrote back. The accused perv was working within the confines of the 75th Precinct in Brooklyn while allegedly sending some of the shocking sexts and sent others from a NYPD building in Queens — which is why he's facing charges in both boroughs. Officer DeSouza has been suspended without pay from the NYPD, the department said Thursday. He was charged in Queens court with attempted dissemination of indecent material to minors in the first degree, official misconduct, obscenity in the third degree, and attempted endangering the welfare of a child, according to the criminal complaint. In Brooklyn, he was hit with charges of attempted disseminating indecent materials to minors in the first degree, attempted endangering the welfare of a child, and obscenity in the third degree, records show. On Thursday, the ex-cop was released without bail, according to court records.
