Mum's horror at whānau photos found among deepfake porn images - 1News

In June 2026, Ario Nepia discovered that personal photographs of her and her family, including images from her wedding, had been misappropriated and featured in an online gallery alongside AI-doctored pornographic material. The discovery was brought to her attention after her niece received a video containing the explicit deepfake content, which also included mugshots of various community members.

What happened

The incident involved at least 15 members of the local community, with Nepia noting that her own children were among the youngest featured in the collection. The gallery combined stolen personal images with synthetic, AI-generated pornographic depictions, raising significant concerns regarding the source of the private photos and the intended purpose of the distribution.

A public apology was subsequently posted online by an individual who claimed to be a recipient of the material rather than its creator, though these claims have not been tested in court. In response to the violation, Nepia transitioned her previously open social media profile to a locked, private setting and has since become an advocate for increased community vigilance and parental involvement in digital safety.

The incident highlights the growing challenge of non-consensual AI-generated content in New Zealand. While Netsafe identifies AI-generated image abuse as an emerging threat, there is ongoing legislative debate regarding the adequacy of current laws. Efforts to address the issue include a bill sponsored by ACT MP Laura McClure, which aims to criminalize the creation and distribution of such content. Following this experience, Nepia has urged parents to engage in proactive conversations with their children about online safety and the potential harms posed by artificial intelligence.