Collien Fernandes berichtet bei Miosga über Identitätsmissbrauch und digitale Gewalt

German actress and presenter Collien Fernandes appeared on the ARD talk show "Caren Miosga" on March 29, 2026, describing in detail how fake social media profiles were created in her name over the course of years, through which pornographic images and videos were distributed to men in her private and professional circle to create the impression that she had recorded the material herself. Fernandes, who reverted to her birth name after previously using the surname Ulmen-Fernandes, stopped short of naming her ex-husband Christian Ulmen directly for much of the broadcast, but her accusations have been widely linked to him. The Staatsanwaltschaft Itzehoe announced it had resumed an investigation into Ulmen for stalking following a report by Der Spiegel. Ulmen is presumed innocent, and his lawyer has denied some of the accusations on his behalf. The episode drew unusual attention even before it aired, with Ulmen's lawyer publicly attacking the format in advance.

Anwalt nennt die Sendung vorab einen „Fernsehgerichtshof“ Christian Schertz, acting as legal counsel for Christian Ulmen, gave an interview to the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung ahead of the broadcast in which he criticized the program sharply. „Der Fernsehgerichtshof tagt mit der höchsten Repräsentantin der Justiz in Deutschland und der Beschwerdeführerin.” — Christian Schertz via N-tv The NDR responded immediately, stating that the program intended to highlight Germany's shortcomings in prevention and criminal law using the Fernandes case as a lens. Schertz had also issued a statement clarifying that his client had "not created or distributed any AI-generated videos," a point Fernandes herself addressed directly on air. Fernandes confirmed that her case does not involve deepfakes or secretly recorded footage, but rather identity theft: real pornographic content distributed through fake profiles designed to look as though she had posted it herself. The program's structure was deliberately designed to separate the individual case from the political debate — Fernandes spoke alone with host Caren Miosga first, and only afterward did the political panel, which included Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig, join the discussion without Fernandes present. Activist Theresia Crone, a law student and former climate activist who had herself been targeted by pornographic deepfakes, was added to the guest list at short notice.

Justizministerin räumt „Lücken bei der Strafbarkeit“ ein Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig appeared on the program and acknowledged that Germany has significant ground to cover in protecting victims of digital violence. „Wir sind nicht da, wo wir sein sollten. Wir haben Lücken bei der Strafbarkeit. Das ist offensichtlich.” — Stefanie Hubig via tagesschau.de Hubig described her draft law on digital protection against violence as completed and already in coordination between ministries, adding that the production of pornographic deepfakes would be expressly punishable under the new legislation, and that the distribution of non-pornographic deepfakes would also become punishable. However, Fernandes pointed out that her specific case — involving real pornographic content distributed through fake profiles — falls outside the scope of what is currently being discussed politically, meaning the planned legislation would not cover situations like hers. Hubig also signaled a need for amendments to her own draft during the broadcast. The minister called for a stronger social debate on sexualized violence and stated that women affected by domestic violence must receive a clear signal of support. „Kein Mann hat das Recht, übergriffig zu werden. Und es ist nicht die Schuld der Frau.” — Stefanie Hubig via tagesschau.de

Fernandes nennt Spanien als Vorbild und fordert längere Fristen Fernandes used her appearance to make concrete legislative demands, pointing to Spain as a model for stronger legal protections against both domestic and digital violence. „In Spanien gibt es deutlich härtere Strafen für all diese Dinge, von denen vor allem Frauen betroffen sind — sowohl häusliche Gewalt als auch digitale Gewalt. Und ich finde, es ist wichtig, dass die Täter klar vor Augen geführt bekommen: Das ist nicht akzeptabel.” — Collien Fernandes via tagesschau.de She called specifically for longer reporting deadlines in domestic violence cases, describing the current three-month deadline as far too short. 2.4 (Prozent) — Anteil der Fälle digitaler Gewalt, die angezeigt werden Fernandes argued that the low reporting rate reflects both the inadequacy of existing law and a lack of sensitivity among investigative authorities, calling for training for officers who receive such complaints. Activist Theresia Crone, whose own complaint over pornographic deepfakes resulted in a conviction — one perpetrator was sentenced to a fine of 100 (Tagessätze) — Geldstrafe gegen verurteilten Deepfake-Täter nach Crone-Anzeige — also criticized the justice system's handling of such cases, saying a court had recently told her at the last instance that she must endure the material because she had placed herself in the public eye. The Die Welt review of the program noted that several details of the Fernandes case, including the status of proceedings in Spain, remained unverified and difficult to assess in full, given that the accused was absent and the presumption of innocence applies throughout.

Digitale Gewalt gegen Frauen, darunter die nicht einvernehmliche Verbreitung intimer Bilder und die Anlage gefälschter Online-Profile, ist in Europa zu einem zunehmend wichtigen rechtlichen und politischen Thema geworden. Der bestehende deutsche Strafrechtsrahmen ist von Juristen und Verbänden dafür kritisiert worden, mit den durch digitale Technik ermöglichten Formen des Missbrauchs nicht Schritt zu halten. Der Fall Fernandes erhielt nach einem Bericht von Der Spiegel erneut bundesweite Aufmerksamkeit; daraufhin nahm die Staatsanwaltschaft Itzehoe ihre Ermittlungen wegen Nachstellung wieder auf. Auch der in der Sendung besprochene Fall von Theresia Crone zeigte die Möglichkeiten und Grenzen des geltenden Rechts: Zwar kam es zu einer Verurteilung, doch entschied ein höheres Gericht später, dass Crone als öffentliche Person bestimmte Formen des gegen sie gerichteten Missbrauchs hinnehmen müsse.