HKU AI Deepfake Scandal Sparks Legal Reform Calls

A troubling incident at the University of Hong Kong (HKU) has ignited a fierce debate across the city regarding the dark side of artificial intelligence and the adequacy of current laws. A male law student received only a warning letter after allegedly creating hundreds of sexually explicit deepfake images of his female friends and classmates, a response many have decried as far too lenient.

An Alarming Discovery at HKU

The case came to light after victims posted an anonymous statement online. According to their account, the incident involved a law student, referred to as 'X', who used free online AI software to generate the images. In mid-February, a friend discovered a collection of over 700 pornographic pictures on X's laptop, meticulously organized into folders named after the 20 to 30 victims. The victims included his close friends, university classmates, and even his former primary and secondary school teachers.

X reportedly admitted to creating the images using photos taken from the victims' social media profiles. The victims' statement emphasized that none of them had consented to his actions.

Victims Speak Out Against Inaction

In mid-March, a group of victims formally approached HKU, requesting disciplinary action. They sought a review by the university's disciplinary committee, framing the act as "ragging"—a university offense involving the humiliation of another student. They also requested "appropriate disciplinary measures" to hold X accountable for what they described as "sexual violence" and asked for class adjustments to avoid him.

The victims' public statement detailed a frustrating experience. They claimed that despite their requests, some were forced to share a classroom with X at least four more times, causing significant "unnecessary psychological distress." The university only offered alternative tutorial sessions to two victims just before the final session of the semester.

The University's Controversial Response

According to the victims, HKU's handling of the situation was deeply inadequate. During a meeting, a university staff member allegedly informed them that a lawyer had advised that X's actions were "not likely to constitute any offence." The university's final decision was to issue a warning letter to be placed in X's student file and to have him write an apology.

However, the apology letter was a brief 60-word message that most victims found insincere. They felt the university's overall response was insufficient, and the matter had "remained dormant" since April. In a press release following the public outcry, HKU stated it had followed internal rules, issued a warning, demanded an apology, and would "further review the case."

Calls for Legal Reform Intensify

The incident has prompted strong reactions from women's rights advocates and lawmakers, who are now calling for stronger laws to tackle deepfake pornography. Doris Chong Tsz-wai, executive director of the advocacy group Rain Lily, told the South China Morning Post, "The images were fabricated and AI-generated, but their impact on victims is real and no different from that caused by genuine images."

She pointed out that the personal connection between perpetrators and victims often represents a betrayal of trust, leading to severe emotional distress.

Hong Kong's Legal Gap on AI-Generated Content

Experts argue that a significant legal loophole exists. Hong Kong's 2021 laws targeting voyeurism-related acts primarily focus on the publication or threat of publication of intimate images without consent, but not necessarily the mere creation of them.

Legislative Council member Doreen Kong Yuk-foon argued that the act itself is "hugely offensive, especially to women," regardless of distribution. She urged Hong Kong to follow the example of South Korea, which recently passed a law that makes possessing and viewing deepfake porn punishable. In South Korea, creating and distributing such content can now lead to a prison sentence of up to seven years, highlighting a potential path forward for Hong Kong to address this growing technological threat.