Ottawa police charge 2 men for alleged use of AI deepfakes to share sexual content without

Ottawa Police sign outside headquarters on Elgin St. in Ottawa. (CTV News Ottawa)

Two men are facing charges following an investigation into the alleged use of artificial intelligence deepfakes and other emerging technologies to create and distribute sexual content without consent, according to police.

The Ottawa Police Service says a multi-jurisdictional investigation was launched after police received a report of harmful online content depicting the victim.

“The investigation focused on allegations of criminal harassment and the online exploitation of women, including the alleged misuse of emerging technologies to create and distribute harmful sexual content without consent,” police said in a media release on Friday.

“This includes but is not limited to AI deepfakes.”

Police say the investigation determined it extended “beyond a single complainant and crossed jurisdictional boundaries.”

A 60-year-old man from Maitland, Nova Scotia was arrested in February and charged with 25 counts of harassment by combination of prohibited conduct, 25 counts of uttering threats, 25 counts of publish/possess obscene material for distribution, two counts of print/publish/possess to publish child sexual abuse material, and two counts of Import/sell/distribute, etc. child sexual abuse material.

A 38-year-old man from West Nipissing, Ont. was arrested on May 2 and has been charged with two counts of harassment by watching and besetting, one count of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence, two counts of uttering threats and two counts of publishing intimate images without consent.

Police did not provide any additional information about the investigation, including where the victim was located.

“This case highlights the growing challenges posed by technology-facilitated sexual violence and the evolving nature of online harms,” police said.

“The Ottawa Police Service continues to invest in investigative expertise, specialized training, and partnerships to support effective responses to these complex investigations.”

Anyone with information about the investigation or believes they may have been affected is asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service’s Central Criminal Investigations Section at 613-236-1122, ext. 5166.

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