Latest news with #UniversityofHongKong
The Star
16 hours ago
- Politics
- The Star
AI porn case student facing criminal probe by Hong Kong privacy watchdog
Law student at the University of Hong Kong is accused of using AI to generate pornographic images of classmates and other women. — SCMP Hong Kong's privacy watchdog has started a criminal investigation into a university student accused of using AI to generate pornographic images of classmates and other women, while the city's leader has pledged to examine regulations elsewhere and look for 'best practices'. A spokesman for the Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data warned on July 15 that anyone who disclosed another person's information without their consent with the intent to harm or with reckless disregard for potential harm could be criminally liable. 'The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data has begun a criminal investigation into the said matter. We have no further comments at this stage,' the spokesman said. The case centres on a University of Hong Kong (HKU) law student who received a warning from the institution after he was found to have used AI to generate explicit images. Three of the victims made public their accusations against the student referred to as 'X' in social media posts on Saturday as they alleged the university had not done enough to hold the man accountable. The trio said they had no plans to report the incident to police, as they had learned that 'such acts had not been regulated by the local criminal framework'. Weighing in on the case on Tuesday, Chief Executive John Lee Ka-chiu called on institutions to deal with students' misconduct seriously, saying any illegal acts should also be reported to law enforcement agencies. Lee pointed to current legislation such as the Crimes Ordinance, which covered Internet activities and countered threats to publish intimate images without consent and access to a computer with dishonest content. But he conceded that artificial intelligence (AI) was an emerging technology that was evolving 'very rapidly', with new capabilities and developments appearing in a very short period of time. 'The government will closely monitor the situation regarding the fast development and application of AI, examine global regulatory trends, and conduct in-depth research into international best practices to see what we should do in regard to the case,' Lee said before his weekly meeting with the government's top decision-making Executive Council. He warned that any conduct that caused harm to others could constitute a criminal offence and infringe individual rights and privacy. 'Universities should deal with student misconduct seriously,' he said, stressing that institutions were responsible not only for imparting knowledge but also for cultivating students' moral character. 'While some misconduct may be dealt with under internal university rules, any act that may [run] counter [to] the law should be reported to law enforcement agencies for action.' In their earlier statement on social media, the three victims said a friend of X had discovered pornographic images of multiple women on his personal laptop in mid-February. When questioned, X admitted he had used photos of the victims – mainly screenshots from social media – as material to generate pornographic images using free online AI software. But questions have been raised about whether he can be charged under the law as the city's regulations covered acts of voyeurism and the publication or distribution of images – rather than just their creation. The Innovation, Technology and Industry Bureau earlier said that existing laws would be reviewed if necessary. HKU said on Monday that it was conducting a review of the incident and pledged to take further action after several victims demanded that more be done. In a letter addressed to students of HKU's law faculty on Sunday, dean Fu Hualing expressed his 'deepest concern' regarding the incident that involved 'offensive, abusive and deplorable' behaviour. 'The faculty unequivocally condemns all forms of gender discrimination, harassment, and misconduct,' he said, vowing to conduct a thorough review of the case and take appropriate action to ensure a safe and respectful learning environment for all students and staff. Acknowledging the challenges created by emerging AI tools in the school environment, he said the faculty had been working closely with the university to review and strengthen existing policies and outreach efforts to address the issue. – South China Morning Post
Kuwait Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Kuwait Times
HK opens probe into AI-generated porn scandal at university
HONG KONG: People cross a street in Western district of Hong Kong on July 15, 2025. -- AFP HONG KONG: 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. 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 apologize. 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. The accusers said in a statement Saturday that Hong Kong law only criminalizes 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 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. 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. – AFP
HKFP
a day ago
- Politics
- HKFP
Hong Kong universities told to handle student misconduct ‘seriously' after AI-generated images scandal
Chief Executive John Lee has urged Hong Kong universities to handle student misconduct 'seriously,' after a male student allegedly created AI-generated indecent images of more than 20 women. Universities shoulder the responsibility of developing students' moral character, and any misconduct that infringes on individual rights and privacy should be dealt with seriously, Lee said at a weekly press conference on Tuesday. 'While some misconduct may be dealt with under internal university rules, any act that may contravene the law should be reported to law enforcement agencies for action,' the chief executive said. Lee's remarks come after a male law student at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) was accused of creating pornographic images of around 20 to 30 women, including his classmates and teachers, without their consent. The student allegedly used photos he found on the women's social media accounts to generate pornographic images using free online artificial intelligence (AI) tools. HKU said in a statement on Saturday that the university had issued a warning letter to the male student and demanded that he make a formal apology to the women affected. But it was revealed that some women had requested that HKU involve the university's Disciplinary Committee to handle the matter, according to three anonymous victims who posted a summary of the accusations on Instagram. The victims said their request did not go through as HKU cited legal opinions in telling them that the male student likely did not commit an offence that could be addressed by the Disciplinary Committee. Lee on Tuesday said most of Hong Kong's laws apply to online behaviours, drawing attention to offences under the Crimes Ordinance and the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. For example, both 'publication or threatened publication of intimate images without consent' and 'access to a computer with dishonest intent' are offences under the Crimes Ordinance, each carrying a maximum punishment of five years in jail. Lee also said that in April, the government's Digital Policy Office published a guideline for generative AI use, promoting the 'safe and responsible development' of the technology and its related activities. The chief executive did not mention any proposal for legislation regarding AI. 'AI is an emergent technology that evolves very rapidly, with new capabilities and developments changing in a very short period of time,' he said. He added that the government would monitor the development of AI and study overseas regulations of the technology.
The Star
a day ago
- Politics
- The Star
Hong Kong opens probe into AI-generated porn scandal at university
HONG KONG: Hong Kong's privacy watchdog said Tuesday (July 15) 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. 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. 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 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. 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. hol/jfx
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Hong Kong opens probe into AI-generated porn scandal at university
Find out what's new on ST website and app. A University of Hong Kong law student is accused of fabricating pornographic images using artificial intelligence. HONG KONG – Hong Kong's privacy watchdog 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. The university sparked outrage over a perceived lenient punishment after it said on July 12 it 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 on July 15 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. The accusers said in a statement on July 12 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. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore MBS' new development part of S'pore's broader, more ambitious transformation: PM Wong Singapore Current economic headwinds do not dampen outlook for new MBS building: Las Vegas Sands president Business MAS records net profit of $19.7 billion, fuelled by investment gains Singapore $3b money laundering case: MinLaw acts against 4 law firms and 1 lawyer over seized properties Singapore Man charged with attempted murder of woman at Kallang Wave Mall Singapore Ex-cleaner jailed over safety lapses linked to guard's death near 1-Altitude rooftop bar Singapore SJI International resumes overseas trips amid ongoing probe into student's death in Maldives in 2024 Singapore 'Nobody deserves to be alone': Why Mummy and Acha have fostered over 20 children in the past 22 years The accusers said a friend discovered the images on the student's laptop. 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,' Professor Annie Chan, who teaches at Hong Kong's Lingnan University, said. 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 Ms 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 news briefing on July 15, Hong Kong leader John Lee said most of the city's laws 'are applicable to activities on the internet'. HKU said on July 12 it will review the case and take further action if appropriate. AFP
