Germany's call for deepfake laws after actress's AI abuse ordeal

When an actress became the face of AI exploitation, a political leader demanded change. Why current laws fail victims of digital sexual violence.

, and Administrator

2026 March 21 . 5:03 PM

1 min read

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Germany's call for deepfake laws after actress's AI abuse ordeal

Mona Neubaur, deputy minister-president of North Rhine-Westphalia, has urged reforms to sexual criminal law to address deepfake abuse. She praised actress Collien Fernandes for speaking out after becoming a victim of non-consensual AI-generated images. Neubaur warned that current laws fail to keep pace with digital threats.

Neubaur described Fernandes as 'a courageous woman' whose public stance sends a strong signal to other victims. She stressed that deepfakes are no longer a fringe issue but a widespread problem requiring urgent action.

The politician criticised slow legislative progress and called for equal treatment of digital and physical sexual violence. She proposed setting up specialised courts to handle both forms of abuse more effectively.

In Spain, cases like Fernandes' are prosecuted under existing laws, including identity theft, privacy violations, and cyber-harassment. While no specific deepfake law exists yet, reforms are planned to criminalise non-consensual AI images and sexualised deepfakes. Neubaur emphasised that significant legal gaps remain, leaving victims without adequate protection.

Neubaur's push for reform highlights the growing threat of deepfakes and the need for stronger legal frameworks. Without updated laws, victims of digital abuse may continue to face limited recourse. The proposed changes aim to close these gaps and ensure better protection for those affected.