Collien Fernandes accuses ex-husband of AI-driven digital impersonation and harassment

German actress and presenter Collien Fernandes has accused her ex-husband, actor Christian Ulmen, of creating a fake online profile under her name. The profile reportedly contained pornographic content and was used to engage in sexualised chats with multiple men. Fernandes has described the incident as 'digital violence' and filed a criminal complaint in Spain, where Ulmen currently lives. Fernandes claims Ulmen impersonated her in explicit online conversations and even conducted phone sex using an AI-generated voice designed to mimic hers. The allegations suggest the fake profile was part of a broader pattern of harassment, potentially falling under multiple legal provisions.

Under German law, the creation of such a profile could violate Section 225a of the Criminal Code, which addresses data falsification. If the deepfake material was used to coerce or threaten Fernandes, further charges might include dangerous threats, coercion, extortion, or sexual coercion. Austrian law also provides relevant frameworks: Section 107c of the Criminal Code penalises persistent harassment via digital means, with penalties of up to one year in prison or fines of up to 720 daily rates. Similar penalties apply under Section 107a, which covers stalking. Additional legal avenues include Austria's § 144 StGB (extortion) and § 105 StGB (coercion), particularly if the deepfake content was used for intimidation or financial exploitation. The Data Protection Act (§63) and copyright law (§78) could also come into play, carrying potential prison sentences or fines. Meanwhile, § 218a StGB explicitly prohibits the non-consensual distribution of sexual images, reinforcing protections against such misuse.

The case now rests with Spanish authorities, where Ulmen resides. If proven, the allegations could result in legal consequences under both German and Austrian law. The outcome may set a precedent for how digital impersonation and deepfake-related harassment are handled in cross-border disputes.