Collien Fernandes Calls for Stricter Digital Violence Laws on Caren Miosga Talk Show

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 Itzehoe public prosecutor's office 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.

Lawyer calls show a "television court" before broadcast 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. „The television court is in session with the highest representative of justice in Germany and the complainant.” — 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.

Justice minister admits Germany has "gaps in criminal liability" 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. „We are not where we should be. We have gaps in criminal liability. That is obvious.” — 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. „No man has the right to become abusive. And it is not the woman's fault.” — Stefanie Hubig via tagesschau.de

Fernandes cites Spain as model, demands longer reporting deadlines 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 Spain there are much harsher penalties for all these things that primarily affect women — both domestic violence and digital violence. And I think it is important that the perpetrators are clearly shown: This is not acceptable.” — 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 (percent) — share of digital violence cases that are reported 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 (daily rates) — fine imposed on deepfake perpetrator convicted after Crone's complaint — 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.

Digital violence against women, including the non-consensual distribution of intimate images and the creation of fake online profiles, has become an increasingly prominent legal and political issue across Europe. Germany's existing criminal code has been criticized by legal experts and advocacy groups for failing to keep pace with the forms of abuse enabled by digital technology. The Fernandes case attracted renewed national attention following a report by Der Spiegel, which prompted the Itzehoe public prosecutor's office to reopen its stalking investigation. Theresia Crone's case, also discussed on the program, illustrated both the possibilities and the limits of existing law: a conviction was secured, but a higher court later ruled that Crone, as a public figure, must tolerate certain forms of the abuse directed at her.