(rdnewsNOW file photo)

By rdnewsNOW staff

AI trend

ALERT ICE warns public of growing deepfake trend

Jun 17, 2025 | 2:25 PM

ALERT’s (Alberta’s Law Enforcement Team) Internet Child Exploitation unit is alerting the public and parents about the risks of the growing online trend of deepfakes involving artificial intelligence.

A deepfake, as defined by the Canadian Centre for Child Protection, is “video, images or audio recordings that look or sound completely realistic but have been altered using AI. Faces can be super-imposed, expressions can be manipulated, and separate elements can be combined to produce something entirely new … commonly used to show someone doing or saying something that didn’t do or say.”

ALERT ICE Cst. Stephanie Bosh said AI and deepfakes are a new trend they’re seeing more of online in their investigations. It’s also an area that continues to evolve rapidly.

“It’s important for us to be responsive in not only sharing our concerns, but also educating parents,” Bosh said in a media release.

According to Cybertip.ca, roughly 4,000 sexually explicit deepfake images and videos of children and youth were processed in 2024.

Nighttime construction on Hwy 3 in Lethbridge starts April 17

Apr 17, 2025

SASHA launches #BuyABed fundraiser to support vulnerable Lethbridge residents

Apr 04, 2025

$20K grants available: TELUS STORYHIVE Pan-Asian Edition opens applications April 1

Mar 18, 2025

Furthermore, Thorn, a nonprofit that builds technology to defend children from sexual abuse, explained data shows one in 10 youth say they know friends and classmates who have created “deepfake nudes” of other kids using AI tools.

“Our team is hearing more stories about the negative effects of AI, especially when it’s used by someone with ill intent, each time we’re out in the community,” said Cpl. Heather Bangle, ALERT ICE. “It is imperative that parents are aware that this technology exists, especially with kids home this summer.”

Cpl. Bangle and Cst. Bosch are members of the ICE unit’s community engagement team, which was established in 2024 to educate and prevent future online exploitation. In total, the team has provided 64 online safety presentations this year to parents and caregivers across the province.

The team encourages parents to talk to their kids about their online activities; build trust so they feel safe about coming to you if something happens online; take an interest and learn about their interactions on the platforms they use; show vulnerability to help create a safe space; and ask questions about their online apps, games and friends.

Anyone with information on any child exploitation situation is asked to contact their local police, or to report their concern anonymously to Crime Stoppers (1-800-222-TIPS).

For local news delivered daily to your email inbox, subscribe for free to the Lethbridge News Now newsletter here. You can also download the Lethbridge News Now mobile app in the Google Play and the Apple App Stores.