Deep Fake, Digital Dysfunction & Your Digital Footprint

It is extremely disturbing that Hugh Nelson was able to take normal photographs of children and, using AI tools and a computer programme, transform them and create images of the most depraved nature to sell and share online. Hugh Nelson, 27, from Bolton, jailed after transforming normal pictures of children into sexual abuse imagery He used AI to create child abuse images using photographs of real children and has been sentenced to 18 years in prison. In the first prosecution of its kind in the UK, Hugh Nelson, 27, from Bolton, was convicted of 16 child sexual abuse offences in August, after an investigation by Greater Manchester police (GMP). Nelson had used Daz 3D, a computer programme with an AI function, to transform “normal” images of children into sexual abuse imagery, Greater Manchester police said. In some cases, paedophiles had commissioned the images, supplying photographs of children with whom they had contact in real life. He was also found guilty of encouraging other offenders to commit rape. He sold his images in internet chatrooms, where he also discussed child sexual abuse with other offenders, making about £5,000 during an 18-month period by selling the images online. While there have been previous convictions for “deepfakes”, which typically involve one face being transferred to another body, Nelson created 3D “characters” from innocent photographs. Sentencing Nelson at Bolton crown court on Monday, judge Martin Walsh said it was “impossible to know” if children had been raped as a result of his images. Walsh said Nelson had no regard for the harm caused by distributing the “harrowing and sickening” material. He added: “There seems to be no limit to the depths of depravity exhibited in the images that you were prepared to create and exhibit to others.” To protect their child’s images from AI manipulation, parents can take these steps: Limit Image Sharing: Reduce the number of photos of children shared on public platforms, especially those without privacy controls. Choose private sharing methods, like secure family photo-sharing apps. Use Privacy Settings: When sharing images on social media, set accounts to private and limit access to close friends and family. Watermark Photos: Adding a discreet watermark can deter others from using the image, making it less appealing for manipulation. Avoid Face-Centric Photos: Try sharing photos where the child’s face is less visible, such as group shots, side profiles, or images focused on activities rather than the child’s features. Use Age-Appropriate Digital Literacy: Talk with older children about safe photo sharing and explain the risks of AI manipulation and deepfakes. Advocate for Stronger Regulations: Support privacy laws that safeguard against AI misuse of images, including those protecting children’s online data. Choose Safe Platforms: Use child-friendly apps and platforms with strict privacy policies. Avoid apps that allow AI manipulation, as these may not have strong protections. Stay Informed: Keep up with digital safety trends and tools that can alert you if your child’s images are used improperly online. Combining these steps can help reduce risks, though parents should remember that complete prevention is challenging with current technology. I know for you these pictures are just memories, but for others they are data. Watch this really important video: The Deutsche Telekom video uses the latest artificial intelligence technology to virtually age a 9-year-old they call Ella, played by an actor, in order to illustrate how a child’s digital footprint can potentially be misused to damage their lives.