UK announces plans to ban AI-powered ‘nudification’ apps

The UK government is set to outlaw AI tools that enable users to create manipulated images, removing clothing from individuals in photos or videos without consent, commonly referred to as ‘nudification’ apps. This move is part of broader efforts to combat online misogyny and protect women and girls from harmful online behavior. The new legislation builds upon existing laws addressing sexually explicit deepfakes and intimate image abuse. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the importance of ensuring safety both online and offline, saying that women and girls deserve to live free from exploitation through non-consensual deepfake content. The law will make it illegal not only to create these tools but also to distribute or profit from them. Experts have voiced concerns about the potential for these apps to cause significant harm, including the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM). Child protection groups, like the Internet Watch Foundation, have welcomed the measures, stressing the need to tackle the risks these technologies pose, particularly to children. The UK is also collaborating with tech firms to develop methods for preventing the spread of abusive intimate images online.