Sand Springs schools investigate email sent to students containing deep fake images of…
Sand Springs Public Schools is investigating an incident where AI-generated deepfake images depicting administrators were emailed to students from a school account
- Incident date
- Sep 2024
- Target
- Sand Springs Public Schools administrators
On September 17, 2024, Sand Springs Public Schools officials launched an investigation after an email containing AI-generated deepfake images was distributed to students. The images depicted school administrators engaging in inappropriate conduct, prompting a district-wide response to address the misuse of school technology.
What happened
The incident involved the distribution of non-consensual, AI-generated imagery via an email address associated with Charles Page High School students. Upon discovering the content, the district temporarily suspended all student email accounts to prevent further dissemination and to allow for a thorough investigation into the scope of the incident and the individuals responsible.
School officials characterized the creation and sharing of these images as serious behavioral misconduct rather than technological experimentation. The district has notified the Sand Springs Police Department regarding the matter. In accordance with District Policy EFBCA, students identified as being involved in the creation or distribution of the deepfakes face potential disciplinary actions, including the loss of computer privileges, suspension, or expulsion. Furthermore, the district noted that those responsible and their parents or guardians could be subject to civil or criminal penalties under state and federal law. The district has requested that families discuss responsible technology use and the legal consequences of distributing harmful AI content with their students while the investigation remains ongoing.