NSW schools are facing a surge in deepfake image-based abuse, with reports occurring at least once a week, according to data from teh eSafety Commissioner. The alarming trend is leaving female high school students living in fear, according to NSW Women’s Safety Commissioner Hannah Tonkin.The abuse, frequently enough facilitated by so-called ”nudify” apps, involves the creation and distribution of non-consensual intimate images. Dr. Tonkin revealed she has spoken with students “terrified of being targeted,” witnessing the abuse happen to their friends and fearing it will happen to them. She described the apps as “disgusting technology” designed to “target, dehumanise and inherently degrade women.”
eSafety data prompted the NSW Department of education to collaborate with the eSafety commissioner on developing digital literacy education for students. The aim is to better equip young people on how to navigate the internet and artificial intelligence responsibly.
“Many are seeing it happen to their friends and they’re really scared it’s going to happen to them,” Dr. Tonkin said.Acting NSW Minister for Education Courtney Houssos emphasized the need for a collaborative approach. “We need to work together to address this scourge for our students, and sadly for some of our teachers,” Ms. Houssos said.
the incidents can have “devastating impacts, particularly on women and girls who are overwhelmingly the targets,” Dr. Tonkin added.