UK schools should remove pupils’ online photos as AI blackmail threat grows, say experts
Summary
Experts in the UK warn that criminals are using artificial intelligence (AI) to create fake explicit images of schoolchildren from photos on school websites and social media. They advise schools to remove or limit photos showing children’s faces to prevent blackmail and protect students.Key Facts
- Criminals are using AI to change photos of pupils into harmful images and then demand money not to share them.
- One UK secondary school recently faced such a blackmail attempt involving manipulated photos taken from their online sites.
- The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) helped stop the spread of over 150 illegal images by sharing their digital fingerprints with tech companies.
- UK safeguarding officials are preparing to update laws on AI-made explicit images to address this new threat.
- Schools are advised to remove clear, face-on photos of pupils and use less identifiable images instead, like blurred or distant shots.
- Schools should avoid showing students’ full names with photos and tighten privacy controls on websites and social accounts.
- A checklist for schools includes reviewing all images online regularly and getting fresh consent from parents or guardians for using photos.
- If an incident occurs, schools should notify police, keep the criminal images as evidence, and remove the original photos from public view.
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