The rise of AI tools capable of generating sexualized images without consent may appear to be an unavoidable side effect of advancements in artificial intelligence. Yet with an estimated 15 million app downloads since 2022—and a growing trend of using deepfaked nude content to harass, intimidate, or endanger individuals—this issue is far too serious to dismiss as inevitable.

Calls for banning such applications have grown louder, and some countries have introduced criminal penalties for creating or sharing non-consensual intimate imagery. Despite these efforts, the problem persists: reports indicate that one in four teenagers aged 13 to 19 has encountered fake, sexually explicit images of someone they personally know.

To understand the full scope of the threat, it’s essential to examine how these tools operate, the dangers they pose, and what actions can be taken to reduce the harm already being done.

What Are Nudification Apps And What Risks Do They Pose?

Nudification apps leverage AI to generate nude or sexually suggestive depictions of individuals using ordinary, clothed photos—images commonly shared on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or LinkedIn.

Although men are sometimes targeted, studies show that 99 percent of non-consensual deepfake sexual content features women and girls. This technology is primarily weaponized for harassment, coercion, or extortion. News reports increasingly highlight how these fake images are having real-world consequences on victims’ mental health, reputations, and safety.

For women in certain regions, even fabricated nude images can lead to severe repercussions, including legal prosecution or physical violence. The damage extends beyond emotional distress—it can threaten livelihoods and personal security.

Equally alarming is the surge in AI-generated fake images of minors. Whether based on real children’s photos or entirely synthetic, these images are fueling a disturbing trend. According to the Internet Watch Foundation, URLs hosting AI-generated child sexual abuse material rose by 400 percent in the first half of 2025 alone.

Experts warn that even when no actual children are involved, such content normalizes exploitative imagery, increases demand for real abuse material, and complicates law enforcement efforts to identify and prosecute offenders.

Adding to the urgency, there’s a clear financial incentive driving this abuse. Some operators are reportedly earning millions by selling AI-generated fake nudes, turning exploitation into a profitable enterprise.

Given how easily and rapidly these images can be produced—and the profound impact they can have—what measures are being implemented to stop them?

How Are Governments And Platforms Responding?

Regulatory responses are emerging globally, but progress remains inconsistent.

In the United States, the Take It Down Act requires online platforms, including social media networks, to remove non-consensual deepfakes upon request. States like California and Minnesota have enacted laws criminalizing the distribution of sexually explicit deepfake content.

The UK is considering stronger measures, including criminalizing the creation—not just the sharing—of non-consensual deepfakes, along with a complete ban on nudification apps. However, defining these tools in a way that doesn’t hinder legitimate AI art or creative applications remains a challenge.

China has implemented regulations for generative AI that include requirements for built-in safeguards against illegal uses, such as generating non-consensual intimate images. Additionally, AI-generated content must carry detectable watermarks to trace its origin—a step aimed at increasing accountability.

A persistent obstacle for advocates is the tendency of authorities to treat AI-generated fake images as less serious than real photographic abuse, often because they’re seen as “not real.” This perception downplays the psychological and social damage inflicted on victims.

In Australia, the eSafety Commissioner has urged schools to report all cases involving minors and AI-generated sexual content to police as potential child sex crimes, emphasizing the severity of the issue.

Tech companies also bear responsibility. Just recently, Meta filed a lawsuit against the developers of CrushAI for attempting to bypass Facebook’s policies restricting promotion of nudification apps. This follows investigations revealing that many app creators routinely evade platform safeguards designed to limit their visibility and reach.

What Can Individuals And Organizations Do?

The proliferation of AI-powered nudification apps serves as a stark reminder that powerful technologies like AI can reshape society in harmful ways.

However, a future defined by misinformation and eroded privacy isn’t inevitable. The path forward depends on the choices we make today about what is acceptable—and the actions we take to enforce those boundaries.

From a societal standpoint, education is crucial. Schools must address digital ethics and online behavior, particularly among young people, to foster awareness of the real harm caused by deepfake abuse.

For businesses, it’s vital to recognize how this technology affects employees—especially women. Human resources departments should establish clear policies and support systems for staff who may become targets of blackmail or harassment involving AI-generated explicit content.

Technological solutions also have a role to play. Tools that detect, flag, or block the upload and sharing of deepfaked nudes—through watermarking, AI filtering, or community-based moderation—can help prevent harm before it spreads.

Without decisive action now, deepfakes—nude or otherwise—will likely become a normalized and escalating part of daily digital life.

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