Collien Fernandes fights back as deepfake porn case reignites in Germany
Actress Collien Fernandes has filed a criminal complaint after deepfake pornographic videos of her were shared online. Prosecutors in Itzehoe have now reopened an investigation under Section 202a of the German Criminal Code, targeting unknown suspects. The case had previously been dropped in June 2025 due to what authorities called insufficient information.
Fernandes denies failing to cooperate with investigators, insisting she had expected contact from Schleswig-Holstein police. She has clarified that the videos were distributed under her name, with her ex-husband, Christian Ulmen, allegedly involved in sending them under false identities. The controversy began when Der Spiegel reported that Ulmen had sent pornographic deepfake videos of Fernandes using fake names. Fernandes confirmed that the case centres on people posting manipulated nude images of her online. While Hamburg police ruled out investigating her for wearing a bulletproof vest at a protest—deeming it unrelated to law enforcement resistance—the focus remains on the deepfake issue.
Authorities are now examining whether additional criminal offences apply. The initial investigation was closed last year, but prosecutors have since resumed proceedings following Fernandes' renewed complaint. Meanwhile, the German federal government has moved to tighten laws around deepfakes. Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig's draft legislation, set for departmental review next week, proposes expanding § 184 StGB to criminalise the creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes. The new § 184k StGB would introduce penalties of up to two years in prison.
Political figures have also weighed in. Schleswig-Holstein's Minister-President Daniel Günther and CDU leader Friedrich Merz have pushed for mandatory real-name registration on online platforms to combat deepfakes and identity theft. Günter Krings (CDU) similarly suggested pressuring internet providers to enforce real-name policies to reduce hate speech. Existing laws, such as those on child pornography, already cover minors, but protections for adults remain limited under current personality rights and insult provisions. The reopened investigation will determine whether further charges can be brought against those responsible for the deepfakes. If passed, the government's proposed law would mark a significant step in addressing non-consensual AI-generated pornography. Fernandes' case has already prompted calls for stricter online identity verification, with political pressure growing to curb the spread of manipulated content.
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