Artificial intelligence (AI) apps that generate nudes of women from images of them fully clothed are on the rise, according to an alarming report.
Graphika’s analysis, released today (Friday), says these custom services are moving from “niche internet forums to an automated and scaled online business.”
The technology works by manipulating existing photos and video footage of real individuals and making them appear nude without their consent.
Recently, there has been a series of nude AI image scandals including in New Jersey where a high schooler made deepfake pornographic images of his female classmates. And in a small Spanish town, 20 girls, aged 11 to 17, said they were victims of AI apps.
According to the research done by Graphika, there were 24 million unique visitors to sites that generate such AI nudes in September alone and the volume of referral links has increased by more than 2,000% on platforms such as Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) since the start of 2023.
The AI image nude apps are harnessing open-source AI image generators to create a “fully-fledged online industry” that uses the same marketing tactics and monetization tools as established e-commerce companies.
Graphika identified a number of services that operate a freemium model: first, they offer customers free generations after which they have to purchase credits to access features such as higher resolution exports, age and body customizations, and even AI photo editing options such as inpainting.
Users are making payments through well-known platforms like PayPal and Stripe, as well as cryptocurrency platforms like Coinbase and Commerce.
‘Terrified’
For the victims of these apps, they feel humiliated and powerless. After schoolgirls in New Jersey became aware that their male classmates had nude photos of them, they were terrified where and when they might surface.
“My daughter has a bright future and no one can guarantee this won’t impact her professionally, academically, or socially,” says Dorota Mani, whose 14-year-old daughter’s photo was used to create one of the AI-generated nudes.
One of the schoolgirls in Spain was extorted by a boy allegedly demanding money, and when she refused she was sent a naked AI picture of herself.
There is no federal law that bans the creation of deepfake pornography. However, the United States does outlaw these types of images of minors.
According to Time, last month a North Carolina child psychiatrist was sent to 40 years in prison for using the apps to undress photos of his patients, the first prosecution of its kind.
Image credits: Header photo licensed via Depositphotos.