Police have stated that no charges have been filed following an inquiry into AI-generated nude images of underage girls that circulated at a Winnipeg school towards the end of last year.
The modified images of female students at Collège Béliveau, a French-immersion school catering to Grade 7-12 students in Winnipeg’s Windsor Park area, were uncovered by school authorities after students disclosed that these images were being distributed online in December.
According to reports, the original images seemed to have been sourced from publicly available social media platforms and subsequently altered using artificial intelligence technology.
Authorities from the Winnipeg police department announced this week that their investigation into the incident has been completed without any charges being brought against anyone involved.
The Louis Riel School Division, which encompasses Collège Béliveau, declined to specify the number of images shared, the count of girls affected, or whether the individuals responsible for creating the images had been identified.
Suzie Dunn, an assistant professor of law at Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law, pointed out that the situation underscores a legal gap in Canada concerning the regulation of sexualized deepfakes—manipulated images created using AI technology.
Dunn highlighted that existing laws related to sharing intimate images without consent may need to be extended to cover deepfakes, as these laws were established before the emergence of such technology.
The mother of one of the girls whose images were circulated expressed disappointment upon learning that no charges would be pressed. She emphasized the importance of educating students about the repercussions of sharing intimate or altered images to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Kaitlynn Mendes, an associate professor of sociology at Western University, noted that Manitoba’s curriculum, like many other provinces, does not address the potential legal ramifications of online behavior or acknowledge online sexual violence. This lack of awareness could leave students ill-prepared to navigate situations similar to the one at Collège Béliveau.
Mendes stressed the need for discussions on these topics in educational settings despite their absence from the official curriculum. She highlighted the importance of equipping young people with the knowledge and resources to respond effectively to online challenges.
The Louis Riel School Division acknowledged the significance of educating students about safe online practices and consent in light of the incident. They announced plans to conduct in-class sessions on responsible internet usage and consent for students, with additional presentations scheduled for parents in the near future.
