Hong Kong’s privacy regulator has opened a criminal investigation into a scandal involving AI-generated pornographic images allegedly created by a law student at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), the city’s oldest university. The case, which involves fabricated explicit images of at least 20 women, marks the city’s first major incident related to AI-driven non-consensual imagery.
The Office of the Privacy Commissioner for Personal Data confirmed on Tuesday that it has initiated a criminal probe citing potential violations of privacy laws. Although the accused has not been named, authorities noted that the unauthorized disclosure of personal data with intent to cause harm may constitute a criminal offense under Hong Kong law.
The controversy came to light after three individuals came forward over the weekend, accusing an HKU law student of using artificial intelligence to produce pornographic deepfake images of his female classmates and lecturers. A friend reportedly discovered the illicit content on the student’s laptop.
HKU’s initial response — issuing a warning letter and demanding an apology from the student — sparked swift public outrage. Critics condemned the university’s handling of the matter as insufficient, particularly given the psychological trauma and legal ambiguities surrounding AI-generated abuse.
In response, the university has pledged to review the situation and consider taking further action if necessary.
Currently, Hong Kong law criminalizes the distribution of “intimate images,” including those generated through AI, but does not penalize their creation. This gap means victims may have limited legal recourse if the images were not shared publicly.
The incident has reignited calls for stronger legal protections against technology-facilitated sexual abuse. Women’s rights groups warn that Hong Kong is lagging in updating its laws to address emerging digital threats.
Doris Chong, executive director of the Association Concerning Sexual Violence Against Women, emphasized the emotional impact on victims. “Many people who seek our help feel deeply violated because these images were never taken by them,” she said. “The AI-generated content is so realistic that its circulation would cause significant distress.”
Annie Chan, former associate professor at Lingnan University, described the case as emblematic of a growing but under-recognized danger. “This incident at HKU clearly shows that anyone could be a perpetrator, and no space is completely safe,” she said.
Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee, addressing the issue at a press briefing on Tuesday, acknowledged that most existing laws cover online activities. However, he recognized the case has increased pressure on lawmakers to close legal loopholes in the age of artificial intelligence.
