Germany is preparing to criminalize pornographic deepfakes, after a high-profile case highlighted digital abuse. Perpetrators could face prosecution as lawmakers move to close legal gaps between real and virtual abuse.
German Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig on Friday said the government was preparing a new law to criminalize pornographic deepfakes, accelerating efforts to tackle digital violence against women.
The move follows a complaint by actress Collien Fernandes, who has spoken out about deepfake pornography and filed a case alleging identity theft and sexualized digital abuse against her former husband.
How is Germany planning to tackle deepfake pornography?
Hubig’s ministry spokesman Eike Hosemann said a draft law is “practically finished” and will be presented “very soon,” aiming to close gaps in current legislation.
“The aim is to make the production and distribution of such deepfakes a criminal offence”, with Germany “lagging behind technological developments in this area,” Hosemann said.
Hubig herself said legislation would mean giving police more powers to search suspects’ devices.
“We want to ensure that perpetrators can no longer feel safe, that they must expect to be identified and effectively prosecuted,” Hubig told the German broadcaster.
How might the law stop sexual deepfakes?
Under the legislation, creating and distributing such content should be explicitly punishable, the minister said, warning perpetrators that they must expect to be identified and prosecuted.
The draft would also include civil measures to make it easier for victims to act against platforms, including rights to obtain information on perpetrators and enforce account suspensions.
Officials say enforcement remains complex due to international networks and rapidly evolving technologies.
Politicians across parties have backed stronger protections, while advocacy groups warn Germany’s legal system is not yet equipped to deal with this form of violence.
UN General Assembly President and former German Foreign Minister told the Funke Media Group that Germany has fallen behind other countries regarding online abuse.
She said she has also experienced digital violence, as is the case for 60% of women and girls in Germany.
What do we know about the Fernandes case?
Fernandes and her ex-husband, Christian Ulmen, were prominent TV personalities in Germany. They had been living together on the Spanish island of Mallorca until they separated in 2025.
Fernandes discovered hundreds of fake pornographic images of her online, as well as social media accounts pretending to be her.
She then began to suspect her then-husband of being behind the online abuse, as has been widely reported in German media.
The German Women’s Council said the Fernandes case shows urgent need for reform, arguing the legal system is not yet equipped to handle this form of abuse.
Fernandes has also made serious allegations against her ex-husband, actor Christian Ulmen, accusing him of creating and distributing AI-generated pornographic images of her. Ulmen denies the accusations.
Edited by: Alex Berry
DW News
