Overview
- The Hanseatisches Oberlandesgericht in Hamburg ruled on June 23 that Der Spiegel must not create the impression Christian Ulmen manufactured or distributed Deepfake videos of his ex‑wife.
- The court nevertheless allowed the magazine to continue reporting Collien Fernandes’ core allegations that Ulmen used fake profiles, circulated pornographic material of women resembling her, and created Deepfake photos.
- Judges also ordered removal of two quoted passages from an email Ulmen sent to his defense lawyer on the grounds they touch the innermost private sphere and could unfairly harm his reputation.
- Criminal inquiries are ongoing: the Staatsanwaltschaft Potsdam is investigating alleged bodily harm, prosecutors are still assessing digital‑violence offences, and the case previously moved from Spanish authorities to Germany for further probes.
- The decision has legal and political fallout: Der Spiegel added clarifying sentences to its article and is weighing appeals while politicians and rights groups press for clearer laws to criminalize non‑consensual sexual deepfakes and close gaps in protection for victims.