AI-generated sexually explicit deepfake images of Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Carmen Lau were mailed to her neighbors in the UK as part of a harassment campaign, representing an escalation of transnational repression tactics.
Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Carmen Lau, living in exile in the UK, discovered that her neighbors in Maidenhead received letters containing AI-generated sexually explicit images of her in November 2024. The letters, postmarked from Macau, contained five deepfaked images showing Lau's face superimposed on naked or underwear-clad bodies, with text advertising her as a sex worker including her personal details and former address. At least half a dozen neighbors received these letters. Similar incidents occurred in Australia, where activist Ted Hui and his wife were targeted with fake posters advertising sexual services. This represents the first time activists on Hong Kong's bounty list have been targeted with explicitly sexualized harassment. Previously in March 2024, Lau's neighbors had received 'wanted' posters offering HK$1 million rewards for information about her. The letters are being investigated by Thames Valley Police as malicious communications involving digitally altered images. In December 2024, Hong Kong police announced HK$1 million bounties for Lau and five other overseas activists accused of national security crimes. The incidents are part of broader transnational repression campaigns targeting Hong Kong democracy activists living abroad.
Domain classification, causal taxonomy, severity scores, and national security assessments were LLM-classified and may contain errors.
Using AI systems to gain a personal advantage over others such as through cheating, fraud, scams, blackmail or targeted manipulation of beliefs or behavior. Examples include AI-facilitated plagiarism for research or education, impersonating a trusted or fake individual for illegitimate financial benefit, or creating humiliating or sexual imagery.
AI system
Due to a decision or action made by an AI system
Intentional
Due to an expected outcome from pursuing a goal
Post-deployment
Occurring after the AI model has been trained and deployed