It is a story that is gripping Germany and has led to one of its best known TV stars tearfully telling thousands of protesters from a stage in Hamburg how she had to wear a bulletproof vest, due to death threats.
A week ago, Collien Fernandes, 44, accused her ex-husband of spreading pornographic deepfakes of her online, in bombshell allegations published by German news magazine *Der Spiegel*. Her claims have triggered demonstrations, promises to tighten the law, and criticism that Chancellor Friedrich Merz has bungled his response. Fernandes' ex-husband, Christian Ulmen, denies the allegations and has not been charged. He is also taking legal action against the magazine that broke the story.
His high-profile media lawyers, Christian Schertz and Simon Bergmann, have told the BBC that Ulmen has never 'produced and/or distributed deepfake videos of Ms Fernandes or any other individuals.' They argue that what happened between Fernandes and Ulmen is completely unrelated to the German debate surrounding legal loopholes in criminal law over deepfake pornography.
The case has captivated Germany due, in part, to the couple's status as public figures. Regardless of its outcome, it has also exposed anger about what campaigners say are glaring gaps in criminal law. A group of 250 women from politics, business, and culture has released demands for the criminalization of producing and distributing non-consensual sexualized deepfakes.
In light of the growing concern, Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has announced plans to change the law to make the creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes an explicit offense, carrying a potential two-year prison sentence. Currently, only the dissemination of such images can be punished under the right to one's own image in German law.
Fernandes told protesters of the abuse she has experienced since going public with her allegations. She stated, 'I'm standing here with a bulletproof vest under police protection… because men want to kill me.' Further complicating the narrative, she claimed that Ulmen confessed to her during Christmas 2024 about spreading fake, sexualized images of her online.
Meeting resistance, Ulmen's lawyers maintain that the allegations against their client are false and legally contested.
The political implications of the case resonate throughout the government, placing additional pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who faces criticism for his perceived detachment from issues impacting younger female voters. Remarks he made regarding violence against women only added to the contentious nature of the discussions.
Fernandes has also lodged complaints in Spain, citing stronger gender-based violence laws. The uproar surrounding her situation underscores the escalating risks many women face in the digital age as more incidences of online abuse gain visibility.
A week ago, Collien Fernandes, 44, accused her ex-husband of spreading pornographic deepfakes of her online, in bombshell allegations published by German news magazine *Der Spiegel*. Her claims have triggered demonstrations, promises to tighten the law, and criticism that Chancellor Friedrich Merz has bungled his response. Fernandes' ex-husband, Christian Ulmen, denies the allegations and has not been charged. He is also taking legal action against the magazine that broke the story.
His high-profile media lawyers, Christian Schertz and Simon Bergmann, have told the BBC that Ulmen has never 'produced and/or distributed deepfake videos of Ms Fernandes or any other individuals.' They argue that what happened between Fernandes and Ulmen is completely unrelated to the German debate surrounding legal loopholes in criminal law over deepfake pornography.
The case has captivated Germany due, in part, to the couple's status as public figures. Regardless of its outcome, it has also exposed anger about what campaigners say are glaring gaps in criminal law. A group of 250 women from politics, business, and culture has released demands for the criminalization of producing and distributing non-consensual sexualized deepfakes.
In light of the growing concern, Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has announced plans to change the law to make the creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes an explicit offense, carrying a potential two-year prison sentence. Currently, only the dissemination of such images can be punished under the right to one's own image in German law.
Fernandes told protesters of the abuse she has experienced since going public with her allegations. She stated, 'I'm standing here with a bulletproof vest under police protection… because men want to kill me.' Further complicating the narrative, she claimed that Ulmen confessed to her during Christmas 2024 about spreading fake, sexualized images of her online.
Meeting resistance, Ulmen's lawyers maintain that the allegations against their client are false and legally contested.
The political implications of the case resonate throughout the government, placing additional pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who faces criticism for his perceived detachment from issues impacting younger female voters. Remarks he made regarding violence against women only added to the contentious nature of the discussions.
Fernandes has also lodged complaints in Spain, citing stronger gender-based violence laws. The uproar surrounding her situation underscores the escalating risks many women face in the digital age as more incidences of online abuse gain visibility.
