AI Deepfakes: How Fake Nudes Are Fueling Online Abuse

The rise of AI-powered tools to create fake nude images of real people is sparking alarm, with experts warning that the problem is rapidly spiraling. Known as “deepfake nudes,” these digitally manipulated images are being used for harassment, bullying, and even blackmail, leaving victims feeling powerless and unsupported by outdated laws.

A Growing Threat in Schools and Online Spaces

AI deepfake technology is becoming alarmingly common. A survey by Internet Matters revealed that 13% of teenagers have encountered nude deepfakes. Rani Govender from the NSPCC highlights how such images can be weaponised for bullying or even as part of grooming tactics. “Children become scared, isolated, and worry they won’t be believed that the images are created by someone else,” she said.

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Professor Clare McGlynn, an expert in online harms, underscores the gravity of the issue: “We’ve seen an exponential rise in the use of sexually explicit deepfakes. One notorious site alone gets about 14 million hits a month.” These apps, often advertised on platforms like TikTok, make it disturbingly easy for anyone to create these images, normalising their use among young people.

 

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Victims Speak Out: “It Looked Like Me, But Also Not Me”

Social media influencer and former Love Island star Cally Jane Beech was horrified to discover an AI nude of herself circulating online. The image was a manipulated version of a fully-clothed photo she had shared for an underwear brand. “It looked so realistic, like nobody but me would know,” she told Sky News. “It’s not a bit of fun. It’s people’s identity and stripping their clothes off.”

Cally reported the incident to police, only to find that authorities struggled to act because the hosting site was based overseas. This highlights a broader issue: law enforcement often lacks the tools and jurisdiction to tackle such crimes effectively.

 

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Betrayed by a Best Friend

For “Jodie” (not her real name), the betrayal was even more personal. After receiving an anonymous tip, she discovered that her best friend, Alex Woolf, had manipulated her photos into explicit deepfakes and shared them online. Despite her perseverance leading to Woolf’s conviction, he received only a suspended sentence and minor fines because existing laws don’t criminalise soliciting deepfakes.

“My abuse is not your fun,” Jodie said. “Online abuse has the same psychological impact as physical abuse. I became suicidal. The effect of betrayal by someone you trust is monumental.”

 

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Change Can’t Come Soon Enough

The UK government plans to outlaw creating AI deepfakes in 2024, but victims and campaigners worry the measures won’t go far enough. They’re calling for laws to criminalise soliciting fake nudes and ensure that images are swiftly removed from the internet.

As Jodie and Cally stress, these laws are urgently needed. “It’s a scary, lonely place for victims,” said Cally. “The mental toll is devastating, especially for young girls facing this as a form of bullying.”