UK to Ban AI Nudification Apps That Remove Clothing
Britain moves to outlaw AI nudification apps that depict people without clothes, expanding protections against non-consensual deepfakes and intimate-image abuse online as part of a broader safety plan.
The British government has announced plans to criminalise AI-powered nudification tools that edit images to remove clothing. The move targets online misogyny and aims to protect women and girls from digital abuse, reflecting a broader strategy to reduce violence against women and girls online.
What the new offences would cover
The proposals would create offences for both creating and distributing nudification apps. These tools, driven by generative AI, can realistically show someone unclothed in a photo or video, even when no such image exists.
The measures would extend existing rules on explicit deepfakes and the non-consensual sharing of intimate images under the Online Safety Act. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasised that online safety is essential and that those who profit from or enable these apps will face full legal consequences.
Why this is happening now
Nudification apps are controversial because they can cause serious harm, including the potential creation of child sexual abuse material. Dame Rachel de Souza, England’s Children's Commissioner, has urged a complete ban on these tools, arguing the technology behind them should be restricted as well.
The government also signalled closer collaboration with tech firms to counter intimate-image abuse. It highlighted ongoing work with SafeToNet, a safety-tech company that claims its AI can identify and block sexual content and help prevent cameras from capturing it. Existing platforms, such as Meta, already use filters to detect nudity and deter young people from sharing private images.
Industry response and expert opinions
Child-protection groups welcomed the plan. The Internet Watch Foundation noted that some people who report images say their photos have been manipulated, and it praised moves to ban nudification apps, which it described as having “no reason to exist.”
While organisations like the NSPCC welcomed the focus, they argued the package should include stronger device-level protections and clearer duties for platforms to intercept CSAM, including in private messages.
What happens next
The government aims to make it virtually impossible for children to take, share, or view nude images on smartphones and to outlaw AI tools that create or distribute CSAM.
Officials said they would work with tech companies to develop methods to combat intimate-image abuse and to enforce the new rules across services and devices.
Expert comment
Expert view: This legislation is a needed step to curb online abuse while preserving innovation. Enforceability will be crucial to its success.
Short summary
Britain is moving to criminalise nudification apps and tighten online-safety rules to protect users, especially young people, from non-consensual nude imagery. The plan relies on collaboration with tech firms and enforcement, with ongoing calls for stronger device protections and privacy safeguards on messaging platforms.
Key takeaway: The government aims to curb online sexual image abuse by banning AI nudification tools, reinforcing protections for children and adults. Source: BBC News.
Discover the latest news and current events in Tech News as of 19-12-2025. The article titled " UK to Ban AI Nudification Apps That Remove Clothing " provides you with the most relevant and reliable information in the Tech News field. Each news piece is thoroughly analyzed to deliver valuable insights to our readers.
The information in " UK to Ban AI Nudification Apps That Remove Clothing " helps you make better-informed decisions within the Tech News category. Our news articles are continuously updated and adhere to journalistic standards.