UK Moves to Ban Nudification Apps to Curb Online Misogyny and Abuse

The British government is moving to outlaw AI tools that create nude images by digitally removing clothing from a person. The move is part of a broader effort to reduce online abuse and protect women and girls both online and offline.

What the proposed law covers

A new offense would criminalize the development, sale, or distribution of nudification apps that use AI to simulate nudity in photos or videos. It complements existing laws that already ban non-consensual sexual deepfakes and intimate-image abuse.

Why this matters

The government says safeguarding women and girls online is as important as protection offline. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the goal is to stop abuse enabled by these tools and ensure offenders face serious penalties.

Creating explicit images without consent is already illegal under the Online Safety Act. The new offense would make it illegal to develop or spread nudification apps.

Nudification apps use generative AI to convincingly show a person unclothed in an image or video. Experts warn about the harms such images can cause, especially when minors are involved.

In April, the Children's Commissioner for England, Dame Rachel de Souza, urged a total ban on nudification tools, saying the technology behind them should also be restricted.

The government plans to work with technology firms to combat intimate-image abuse, including continuing collaboration with SafeToNet, a UK safety-tech company that claims its software can detect sexual content and block cameras when nudity is detected.

Major platforms already use filters to detect nudity and stop young people from taking or sharing intimate images.

Support and concerns

The Internet Watch Foundation notes that a notable share of reported cases involve manipulated imagery. Kerry Smith, chief executive of the charity, welcomed the steps and called the ban a necessary move, adding that enforcement and cross‑platform cooperation will be key to its success.

The NSPCC welcomed the move but urged stronger protections, such as device-level safeguards to prevent the spread of CSAM, even in private messages.

The government says it will make it nearly impossible for children to take, share, or view nude images on their devices and will outlaw AI tools that create or distribute sexual-abuse material.

In short

The plan targets nudification apps to reduce online sexual exploitation and protect young users. Safety advocates have long called for tougher controls on AI-generated nude imagery, and officials say collaboration with tech firms will help identify and block this content across platforms.

Expert comment: Kerry Smith, chief executive of the Internet Watch Foundation, welcomed the ban and called it a necessary step. She cautioned that enforcement and platform cooperation will be crucial to prevent continued harm.

Summary: The UK intends to criminalize nudification apps that create nude imagery without consent, complementing existing anti-deepfake laws. Officials will work with tech companies to curb intimate image abuse and protect young people online, while safety groups call for stronger device-level protections and comprehensive enforcement. The move signals a tougher stance on AI-generated sexual content in Britain.

UK to outlaw nudification apps to curb online abuse and protect children, signaling a tougher regime for AI-generated sexual content. BBC News

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