‘Nudify’ apps: What to do if someone makes a fake nude of you

For all AI’s wonders, there’s a darker underbelly to tech innovation. And it doesn’t get much darker than ‘nudification’ or ‘nudify’ apps. They use AI-powered deepfake technology to change an image of a clothed person to one that appears as if they’re naked, by simulating anatomical features. But let’s be clear, just because the image isn’t technically real, it doesn’t mean that the intent behind it can be brushed aside. Non-consensual intimate imagery (NCII) is often weaponized by fraudsters, bullies and cybercriminals, and is banned in many countries.

Read on to find out how to minimize the chances of being victimized, and what to do in a worst-case scenario.

The short answer is “it depends.” In the US, there’s no federal law explicitly prohibiting ‘nudify’ apps. It’s more about the images they can be used to create and distribute. The TAKE IT DOWN Act empowers victims of NCII (including AI-generated images) to request that the platform remove it within 48 hours, as long as the request is valid. State laws vary. Images that nudify children are classed as child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and governed by Title 18 of the United States Code. They can be reported to the Cyber Tipline.

In the EU, a directive on combating violence against women and domestic violence will make it a criminal offense to make and distribute NCII including AI-generated images. However, member states must transpose the directive into national law, so the precise offense, terminology, reporting mechanisms, and penalties will vary.