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German celebrity accuses ex-husband of spreading deepfake porn
Collien Fernandes, a well-known German television presenter, has publicly accused her former spouse, actor Christian Ulmen, of distributing AI-generated pornographic images of her online. The allegations, published by Der Spiegel, have ignited protests, legal reforms, and criticism of Chancellor Friedrich Merz's response.
The allegations and denial
Fernandes, 44, claimed in the Der Spiegel report that Ulmen confessed to her on Christmas Day 2024 about circulating sexualized deepfakes. She described the moment as akin to "receiving news of a death," leaving her unable to speak or cry. The couple, once a high-profile media duo, had shared careers in TV, production, and acting.
Ulmen has vehemently denied the accusations through his lawyers, Christian Schertz and Simon Bergmann, who told the BBC their client "never produced or distributed deepfake videos" of Fernandes or anyone else. They argue the dispute is personal and unrelated to Germany's legal gaps on deepfake pornography.
Ulmen is also pursuing legal action against Der Spiegel, while Fernandes has filed complaints in Spain-where the couple previously lived-citing stronger gender-based violence laws. She has called Germany a "paradise for perpetrators."
Public outcry and legal gaps
Fernandes addressed thousands of protesters in Hamburg on Thursday, revealing she wore a bulletproof vest under police protection due to death threats. "Men want to kill me," she told the crowd. The case has spotlighted glaring loopholes in German law, where only the distribution of non-consensual deepfakes is punishable if it violates privacy rights-creation remains unaddressed.
A coalition of 250 women, including Labor Minister Bärbel Bas, rapper Ikkimel, and climate activist Luisa Neubauer, has demanded legal reforms. Federal Justice Minister Stefanie Hubig has proposed draft legislation to criminalize both creation and distribution of pornographic deepfakes, with penalties of up to two years in prison.
Political fallout and broader context
The scandal has intensified scrutiny of Chancellor Merz, long criticized for being out of touch with younger, female voters. In a parliamentary debate, Merz attributed rising violence-both physical and digital-to immigrant groups, sparking backlash. Left Party MP Clara Bünger accused him of "downplaying structural violence" by reflexively blaming immigration.
Government data shows non-Germans are overrepresented as suspects in domestic violence cases, though exact nationalities aren't specified. Meanwhile, 2024 police statistics reveal a record high in crimes against women, both online and offline.
An investigation into Fernandes' case was previously closed in June 2024 due to lack of leads but has been reopened following the Der Spiegel report. The Itzehoe public prosecutor's office emphasized the presumption of innocence for all accused.
What's next
Fernandes' allegations have galvanized calls for legal reform, with Hubig's draft expected to be debated in the Bundestag. Meanwhile, Ulmen's legal team continues to challenge the claims, and the case remains unresolved. The broader debate over digital abuse and gender-based violence in Germany shows no signs of abating.
