Featured
Two youths arrested for using AI to produce child sexual abuse material
Photos collected from social media of other young people, artificial intelligence used to alter the images in a sexual manner
Two youths from the NWT have been charged with the production and distribution of child sexual abuse material that they allegedly developed with artificial intelligence.
Police were informed that two students had been taking photos of other youths from social media, and using AI image generation software to alter the photos, often making the subjects appear nude, stated a release.
The two suspects then shared the photos with each other.
The investigation was led by the RCMP’s G-Division Internet Child Exploitation Unit, with support from the Specialized Response Unit, Territorial Crime Reduction Unit and Major Crimes Unit.
Both youths have been arrested and their devices have been seized. The two youths have been charged with:
- Making child sexual abuse and exploitation material,
- Transmitting child sexual abuse and exploitation material, and
- Possession of child sexual abuse and exploitation material
The two suspects have been released after appearing before a Justice of the Peace, placed under several conditions while they wait for another court appearance at a later date.
As this is a case that involves the use of Artificial Intelligence, the RCMP cautioned the public that the definition of child sexual abuse material under the Criminal Code of Canada is broad, stated the release.
It includes any visual material that depicts nudity for a sexual purpose or describes sexual activity involving a person under the age of 18, or that is depicted as being of a person under 18. This includes pictures, videos, illustrations, and computer generated images, with AI falling within that definition, even when the content does not depict a real person.
Canada’s courts and Criminal Code believe that the harm caused by child sexual abuse material goes beyond the physical and psychological harm to the subject, but it also normalizes the sexual exploitation of children, fuels demand for actual abuse and contributes to a range of broader harm.
The law is designed to address that harm regardless of how the material was produced.
The investigation into this case continues, and anyone who may have information on similar offences is encouraged to contact their local RCMP detachment.
