German schools warned of AI‑driven deepfake extortion targeting child photos

Criminal groups in the United Kingdom have been stealing images of schoolchildren from school websites and using artificial‑intelligence tools to create sexualised deepfake videos. The extortionists threaten to publish the fabricated material unless schools pay a ransom. Experts warn that German schools could become the next target, as many German institutions also post identifiable child photos online.

The German Child Protection Association recommends that schools limit or stop publishing recognizable pictures of minors and that parents and educators raise awareness of the risks. The association also calls for broader societal education on how AI‑generated imagery can be misused, stressing that the problem extends beyond schools to private social‑media accounts.