A German television host and actress has disclosed that her spouse disseminated pornographic deepfakes of her online for roughly a decade, as reported by Der Spiegel. This incident sheds light on how artificial intelligence is being used to perpetrate harm against women. In a recent article in the German magazine, Collien Fernandes revealed her ongoing struggle with fabricated pornographic images and videos that inundated the internet.
These deepfakes, along with fake social media accounts posing as the celebrity, engaged in sexual conversations with multiple men who believed they were interacting with Fernandes herself. Some of these interactions even escalated to phone calls and phone sex with someone using an AI-generated voice to mimic her. Fernandes, aged 44, alleged that her husband, Christian Ulmen, confessed to being behind the deepfakes and the fake social media accounts in late 2024.
Following the announcement of their separation in September 2025 and subsequent divorce, Fernandes has filed a legal complaint against Ulmen in Spain, where the couple resides. Despite the allegations, Ulmen has not faced any charges so far. In response to inquiries, Ulmen’s talent agency referred CBC News to his legal team, which has not provided any comments in response to multiple requests.
Ulmen’s legal representatives criticized Der Spiegel’s reporting as “unlawful” and “one-sided” in a statement shared on social media. The allegations have sparked widespread attention in Germany, where Fernandes and Ulmen are prominent figures in the entertainment industry, prompting discussions in parliament and calls for stricter measures against fake pornographic content.
Moreover, Fernandes’s case has drawn parallels to other instances of gender-based violence, notably the high-profile case of Gisèle Pelicot, who gained international recognition for speaking out against her husband’s abusive actions. Fernandes has been likened to a “digital Pelicot” for her efforts in combating what she refers to as “virtual rape.”
The use of technology, particularly deepfakes, to perpetrate harm has raised concerns among experts. More than 90% of deepfakes available online are non-consensual pornographic clips of women, indicating a significant issue that needs to be addressed. The proliferation of such content underscores the urgent need for social media and AI companies to be held accountable for enabling and profiting from image-based sexual violence.
In response to these challenges, efforts are underway in various countries to address the legal and regulatory gaps surrounding deepfakes. In Canada, for instance, legislative amendments are being proposed to criminalize the production of pornographic deepfakes and voyeuristic recordings. Similarly, Germany is considering enacting laws to combat such forms of digital abuse, recognizing the underlying motives of power and control.
Fernandes’s courage in speaking out against digital violence has resonated with thousands of supporters, leading to widespread protests against gender-based violence. The case has sparked a national dialogue on the need for stronger protections for survivors of digital abuse and the responsibility of lawmakers to address this growing issue. Through her advocacy, Fernandes aims to raise awareness, effect change, and seek justice for herself and others impacted by similar forms of abuse.