TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — The Taiwan High Court on Wednesday ordered two YouTubers to pay victims NT$1.85 million (US$57,000) for creating deepfake pornography. 

Earlier this year, Chu Yu-chen (朱玉宸) and his assistant Chuang Hsin-jui (莊炘睿) were sentenced to five and four-and-a-half years in prison, respectively, for violating the Personal Data Protection Act, aggravated defamation, and public decency. Chu and Chuang used AI and deepfake technology to synthesize victims’ faces onto Japanese adult film actresses, per CNA.

Court documents said the pair used the likenesses of 119 individuals, including YouTubers, social media influencers, and politicians, to generate highly realistic and obscene videos for profit. They used Telegram messaging groups to solicit buyers, some of whom bought memberships for content access. The pair reportedly made over NT$10 million. 

After the criminal case was finalized, six victims proceeded with civil claims. They sued for emotional distress, reputational harm, and mental anguish due to the videos, according to court statements. 

The court pointed out the duo took advantage of the victims’ reputations as internet or public figures. The court ruled the duo violated their right to reputation, which aims to protect individual sovereignty and moral integrity. 

The court ruled the six victims who filed civil suits would each be compensated between NT$200,000 and NT$500,000 in emotional distress damages. The ruling can be appealed.