KUALA LUMPUR — Deputy Communications Minister Teo Nie Ching has called for urgent improvements to digital safety protocols in schools following a disturbing case involving AI-generated explicit images of students.
Speaking at a press conference at the Kulai MP office in Taman Tropika today, Teo said 38 individuals had been identified as victims in the case, with some as young as 12 or 13, according to The Star.
“The six individuals initially implicated had just completed their secondary education, but the extent of this situation is much broader and more alarming.
“This underscores the severity of the issue,” she said.
Teo expressed concern over how schools have been responding to such cases, stressing that institutions must treat complaints related to digital abuse with greater seriousness and urgency.
“A significant concern is the response of schools. These issues must be taken seriously; schools need to act promptly and with gravity.
“This is a crucial message for all social media users and for the institutions responsible for safeguarding students,” she said.
In this particular case, she said the victim had reported the matter to the school before approaching the police, but the complaint was not handled with due seriousness.
“Last year, there were similar cases where schools were notified, yet we still observe a lack of decisive action.
“With the increasing prevalence of AI-generated deepfakes and explicit material, all educational institutions—regardless of their nature—must take proactive measures. There is no justification for private schools not to implement or strengthen their own standard operating procedures,” she added.
The case involves a 16-year-old student currently in police custody, believed to have used artificial intelligence to superimpose the faces of his schoolmates and alumni onto pornographic images, which he then sold online for RM2 each.
Police have extended the teen’s remand until next Tuesday to assist with investigations. Johor police chief M Kumar confirmed that 22 reports have been lodged so far.
“The suspect’s motive is still under investigation,” he said.
The school involved has since expelled the student and admitted in a statement yesterday that its response to the incident had been inadequate. – April 12, 2025