Spain faces a new challenge in digital security: a school in Almería has reported the widespread distribution of fake nude images of minors generated by artificial intelligence. The incident has raised concerns among parents and educators, and questions the effectiveness of current measures to protect children online. According to RUSSPAIN, the investigation is being conducted by the provincial prosecutor’s office, highlighting the seriousness of the situation nationwide.
At the center of the controversy is the ClothOff application, which allows users to upload real photos and receive digitally altered images with nudity or sexual content. Cybercrime prosecutor David Calvo López stated that at least 18 students from one school have been affected. The app generates highly realistic scenes that are difficult to distinguish from genuine photos. In most cases, prosecutors estimate, users create explicit content, worsening the impact on victims.
Legal consequences
Spanish law already provides for criminal liability for the production and distribution of such materials, especially if minors are involved. When the final image appears realistic, these actions are classified as virtual child pornography and are punished as severely as real photos. If the fake does not reach a high level of plausibility, it is considered a crime against moral integrity, which also carries penalties. Prosecutors emphasize that such cases not only cause psychological harm to victims, but also erode trust in digital technology among young people and their families.
During a discussion at the Universidad de Almería, experts pointed out that the emergence of apps like ClothOff calls for an urgent review of data protection policies and stricter oversight of AI technology distribution. Authorities are considering introducing additional restrictions and educational programs for schoolchildren to reduce the risk of similar incidents in the future.
Public reaction
The scandal in Almería has sparked heated discussions in Spanish media and on social networks. Parents are calling for tougher penalties for those responsible and tighter controls over digital platforms, while teachers emphasize the need to introduce special lessons on digital literacy. Many experts believe that such cases may prompt a review of the national strategy for child protection online. Meanwhile, representatives from the prosecutor’s office note that the investigation is ongoing and do not rule out the emergence of new cases.
At the same time, isolated incidents involving the use of AI to create compromising images of teenagers have already been recorded in other regions of Spain. However, an incident of this scale, as seen in Almería, is unprecedented. This highlights the need for a comprehensive approach to the problem, incorporating both technical and educational measures.
Context and trends
The use of artificial intelligence to create fake images is becoming increasingly common across Europe. Over the past two years, Spain and other EU countries have repeatedly faced scandals related to deepfake content involving minors. In 2025, an incident in Madrid involving the distribution of fake videos among high school students led to stricter controls within school networks. An analysis by russpain.com indicates a rise in such incidents, which requires new solutions from authorities and society to protect children in the digital age.
