A 32-year-old man in Japan has been arrested for allegedly using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake nude images of a 12-year-old schoolgirl and sharing them in an online social media group with more than 1,000 members.
Police identified the suspect as Kenta Imoto, a company employee from Hyogo Prefecture. He has been charged with defamation and violating Japan’s laws prohibiting child prostitution and child pornography.
Investigators said Imoto allegedly received a request from a 17-year-old boy he met on social media to sexually alter photographs of the girl that had been taken during school sports events.
The AI-generated deepfake images were then allegedly shared within an online community that also contained manipulated images of female athletes ranging from primary school pupils to university students.
Police said the suspect admitted to the allegations and allegedly told investigators he was “happy that people were pleased” with the AI-generated images.
Authorities also suspect Imoto of posting obscene AI-generated images involving three women in their 20s.
Meanwhile, the 17-year-old boy is expected to be referred to prosecutors without being arrested for allegedly requesting the creation of the deepfake sexual images.
