In a legal ruling that has sparked nationwide discussion, a court in south-west Spain has sentenced 15 schoolchildren to a year’s probation. Their offense: creating and disseminating AI-generated images depicting their female classmates in compromising scenarios. This case has thrust the issue of deepfake technology misuse into the forefront of public debate.
The investigation began when concerned parents in Almendralejo, Extremadura, alerted authorities to the circulation of manipulated obscene images on WhatsApp groups. The mother of one victim revealed the distress caused, noting how many girls suffered silently, experiencing severe anxiety attacks and fearing the repercussions of speaking out.
The court in Badajoz convicted the minors on multiple counts related to creating child abuse images and violating their victims’ moral integrity. In addition to probation, the teenagers were mandated to attend educational sessions focusing on gender equality and responsible technology use.
According to the court’s statement, the minors utilized artificial intelligence applications to superimpose the faces of their classmates onto obscene bodies sourced from social media profiles. These manipulated images were then widely shared across various WhatsApp groups, exacerbating the emotional turmoil experienced by the victims and their families.
Emotional Impact on Victims
A mother of one of the victims has spoken out about the deep devastation so many girls felt in silence, as they suffered fear and anxiety attacks because these manipulated pictures were being spread all over social media.
The Badajoz Juvenile Court sentenced the minors for crimes relating to the production of child pornography and an attack against the moral integrity of their victims in a landmark judgment. Each of the offenders was condemned to one year of probation and attended classes on gender equality and responsible use of technologies.
According to the official statement from the court, the minors used AI applications to virtually superimpose their classmates’ faces over explicit images taken from social media profiles. Afterward, such photos were shared in WhatsApp groups, furthering the emotional scarring of both the victims and their families.
Responsibility and Legal Framework
Police identified several teenagers, aged between 13 and 15, as responsible for generating and sharing these images. Under Spanish law, minors under 14 cannot face criminal charges but are referred to child protection services for rehabilitation.
In an interview with the Guardian, a mother expressed her shock upon seeing an image of her daughter, highlighting its unsettling realism and the emotional toll on her family.
The Malvaluna Association, representing affected families, emphasized the broader implications of the case for Spanish society.
