A German TV host and actress has disclosed that her spouse disseminated pornographic deepfake content of her online for approximately a decade, as per a report by Der Spiegel. This incident sheds light on the use of artificial intelligence in perpetrating abuse against women.
In a recent article in a German publication, Collien Fernandes revealed her prolonged struggle against fabricated pornographic images and videos circulating widely on the internet. Fake social media profiles impersonating the celebrity shared these deepfakes and engaged in sexual conversations with multiple individuals, who mistakenly believed they were interacting with Fernandes herself.
Fernandes, aged 44, accused her husband, Christian Ulmen, whom she has been married to since 2011, of creating the deepfakes and managing the fake social media accounts. Ulmen reportedly confessed to these actions in late 2024. The couple announced their separation in September 2025 and finalized their divorce recently. Fernandes has initiated legal proceedings against Ulmen in Spain, where they reside.
While no charges have been formally filed against Ulmen, his legal representatives have not responded to requests for comments following the allegations made by Fernandes. The legal team criticized Der Spiegel’s coverage as “unlawful” and “biased” and indicated their intention to pursue legal action against the magazine.
The revelations have sparked widespread outrage in Germany, where Fernandes and Ulmen are prominent figures in the entertainment industry. The case has ignited discussions in parliament, leading to calls for stricter measures against fake pornographic content.
The incident involving Fernandes is part of a broader pattern of gender-based violence, with parallels drawn to the high-profile case of Gisèle Pelicot, who became a symbol of resilience after publicly addressing her ordeal of sexual violence. Legal experts and commentators have likened Fernandes to a “digital Pelicot” due to her public stance against what she describes as “virtual rape.”
The case highlights the pervasive issue of intimate partner violence as a primary form of harm against women, as emphasized by the World Health Organization. Technology plays a pivotal role in enabling such abuses, with deepfakes constituting a significant portion of non-consensual pornographic content online.
Efforts are underway to address the challenges posed by deepfake technology, with calls for enhanced regulatory frameworks and support mechanisms for survivors. Fernandes’s bravery in speaking out has galvanized public demonstrations against gender-based violence, underscoring the urgent need for legal reforms to combat digital abuse and protect victims.