How deepfake porn scandal surrounding TV star rocked Germany

A high-profile controversy has taken hold in Germany, sparking nationwide reactions and legal debates after a well-known television personality accused her ex-partner of sharing explicit deepfake videos of her online. The allegations, revealed by German news magazine Der Spiegel, have led to demonstrations and calls for stricter regulations on AI-generated pornography. Collien Fernandes, 44, described the ordeal as harrowing, sharing her experience with thousands of supporters in Hamburg, where she wore a bulletproof vest for protection amid death threats.

Fernandes claims her former husband, Christian Ulmen, admitted to distributing fake, sexualized images of her on Christmas Day 2024. She called the revelation “like news of a death,” stating she was so stunned she could not speak or cry. Ulmen, however, denies the accusations and is not yet under charge. His legal team, including Christian Schertz and Simon Bergmann, asserts that “any claims about producing or distributing deepfake videos of Ms. Fernandes or others are false.” They argue the dispute between the couple is unrelated to the broader debate on legal gaps in Germany’s criminal law.

The couple, once a prominent media duo, had collectively built a career in television, writing, and acting. Their public status has amplified the scandal, drawing widespread attention to the issue of digital abuse. Despite this, the case has also highlighted growing frustration with existing laws, which currently penalize only the spread of deepfake content if it infringes on an individual’s right to their image. Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has proposed revising the law to explicitly criminalize the creation and sharing of non-consensual deepfake pornography, punishable by up to two years in prison.

A coalition of 250 women from various fields—including politics, business, and culture—has presented 10 key demands, urging legal reforms to address the issue. Among them is Labour minister Bärbel Bas from the SPD, rapper Ikkimel, and climate activist Luisa Neubauer. Fernandes has also taken legal action in Spain, where the couple resided before moving to Germany. She argues that Spain’s stronger protections for victims of gender-based violence make it a more suitable jurisdiction for her case. Ulmen’s lawyers, however, reject her portrayal, insisting no “unilateral blame” has been assigned to their client.

Despite the emotional toll, Fernandes remains a vocal advocate for change. In a 2024 ZDF documentary titled “Digital abuse,” she detailed her experiences with online harassment, which she says are not new. She recently filed a criminal complaint in Germany against unknown individuals, a month before Ulmen allegedly confessed. This has prompted a reopened investigation in Itzehoe, a small town near Hamburg. The public prosecutor’s office noted the prior case was closed in June due to “no leads” on the origin of the fake accounts. They emphasized the presumption of innocence applies to Ulmen until proven otherwise.

The scandal has also intensified pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who faces criticism for failing to address concerns from younger, female voters. Fernandes’ case underscores the urgency of updating laws to protect against the rapidly evolving threats of deepfake technology.

“I’m standing here with a bulletproof vest under police protection… because men want to kill me.”

“The key points reported about Ulmen are demonstrably incomplete and incorrect,” said Schertz, Ulmen’s lawyer.

“It was like receiving news of a death,” she told Der Spiegel.