Police charge two in alleged use of AI deepfakes in online 'sexual violence'

Ottawa Police Service headquarters Photo by ASHLEY FRASER /POSTMEDIA

Article content

Ottawa police have arrested two men in connection with what investigators describe as online attacks involving “technology-facilitated sexual violence.”

Article content

In a news release Friday, police said the investigation began when they received a report of harmful online content depicting the victim, whose identity has been withheld.

Article content

Article content

“Investigators quickly launched a thorough, trauma-informed and victim-centred investigation,” the release said.

Article content

Article content

The probe 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.

Article content

Article content

“This includes, but is not limited to AI deepfakes,” the release said.

Article content

A “deepfake” is an image that has been digitally altered or generated using artificial intelligence (AI) to convincingly replace one person’s likeness or voice with another’s.

Article content

Investigators determined that the impact extended beyond a single complainant and crossed jurisdictional boundaries.

Article content

Stephen Lowe, 60, of Maitland, N.S., was arrested Feb. 12 and was charged with 25 counts each of harassment by combination of prohibited conduct, uttering threats and publish/possess obscene material for distribution.

Article content

He also faces two counts each of print/publish/possess to publish child sexual abuse material and import or selling child sexual abuse material. He remained in custody as of May 29.

Article content

On May 2, police arrested Gregry Van Beek, 38, in West Nipissing, Ont., and charged him with two counts each of harassment by watching and besetting, uttering threats and publish intimate image without consent, as well as one charge of conspiracy to commit an indictable offence. He also remained in custody on May 29.

Article content

Article content

As the matter was before the courts and subject to a publication ban, police did not release any further information.

Article content

Article content

Police would not comment on published reports that as many as 50 people had been identified as possible victims in the matter.

Article content

“Victims of technology-facilitated sexual violence often experience significant emotional and psychological impacts, and investigators worked throughout the investigation to prioritize victim safety, privacy and support,” police said.

Article content

They noted Ottawa police continued to “invest in investigative expertise, specialized training, and partnerships to support effective responses to these complex investigations.”

Article content

Anyone with information related to this investigation was asked to contact the Ottawa Police Service Central Criminal Investigations Section at 613-236-1222, ext. 5166, or by email at [email protected].

Article content

Article content

Our website is your destination for up-to-the-minute news, so make sure to bookmark our homepage and sign up for our newsletters so we can keep you informed.

Article content