Deepfake Danger: The Growing Threat to Women and Girls
The rise of AI-generated sexual abuse and the question of whether current legislation is enough.
Celebrities like Taylor Swift and Natalie Portman, alongside countless everyday women, are facing a terrifying new form of online harassment: sexually explicit deepfakes. These AI-generated images and videos, often alarmingly realistic, depict individuals in intimate situations without their consent, causing devastating emotional harm.
The UK government is taking steps to combat this abuse. From March 17, 2025, the Online Safety Act will require internet service providers to proactively remove and prevent the spread of illegal content like deepfakes, with hefty fines for non-compliance. Additionally, creating such deepfakes without consent will be an offence.
These measures are crucial, as research indicates that 98% of deepfakes are pornographic, with 99% targeting women. While celebrities are often victims, a 2024 study revealed that everyday women are most at risk.
A particularly concerning trend is the proliferation of "nudifying apps," which remove clothing from images. One such app processed 600,000 photos of women within just 21 days of launching. Despite being banned from app stores, these apps remain accessible through search engines and social media ads, profiting from the exploitation of women and girls.
Children are also vulnerable. Internet Matters reports that 13% of UK teenagers have encountered sexual deepfakes, whether by creating, sending, receiving, or viewing them. The rise of child-on-child abuse involving these apps in schools is deeply troubling, as young users may not fully grasp the harmful and illegal nature of their actions.
Whilst new legislation is a vital step, enforcement and education are equally critical. Schools, in particular, must play a role in educating young people about the dangers of deepfakes and the importance of online safety. Without urgent action, the unchecked rise of deepfake technology will continue to fuel online misogyny, exploitation, and lasting harm.
This makes my campaign to have online safety placed on the national curriculum all the more important
Key Takeaways:
Deepfakes and nudifying apps pose a significant threat to women and girls.
The Online Safety Act is introducing new measures to combat this abuse.
Enforcement and education, especially in schools, are essential for effective prevention.
The rise of child-on-child abuse involving deepfakes is a serious concern.
Urgent action is needed to protect victims and prevent further harm.
