Gold Coast Man Charged Over Alleged AI-Generated Child Abuse Material Made From Social Media Photos

A Gold Coast man is expected to appear in Southport Magistrate's Court on 5 November 2026 on an online child abuse charge. The case began on 4 February 2026, when Australian Border Force officers identified suspected child abuse files on a phone during an examination as the 41-year-old arrived at Brisbane International Airport. A forensic examination of the device allegedly found thousands of files, and the matter was referred to the AFP's Northern Command Joint Anti Child Exploitation Team.

Authorities allege the material was generated using artificial intelligence to digitally sexualise and "nudify" images of clothed children sourced from social media accounts, including images of at least three children located in Australia. Investigators searched a home in Arundel on 4 November and seized two mobile phones for further forensic examination. The man was charged with one count of making child exploitation material under section 228B of the Criminal Code 1899 (Qld), which carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment.

AFP Detective Superintendent Frank Rayner said the misuse of AI to create unlawful sexual depictions of children is rising, and that child abuse material is illegal whether real or AI-generated. ABF Acting Superintendent Melissa Nicholson said that manipulating a child's image with AI is exploitation and the harm to the child can be very real and lasting.