- The surge in user numbers can be attributed to the popularity of AI applications and platforms that generate synthetic nude images.
- Research conducted by Graphika revealed that in September, 24 million visitors engaged with 34 websites specializing in this content.
- These platforms leverage AI technology to transform images of fully clothed women into simulated nude appearances.
Recent data indicates a rising trend in the utilization of AI-powered applications designed to digitally “undress” individuals depicted in photographs.
Users have the ability to submit pictures of fully clothed individuals to online platforms and applications for the purpose of generating simulated nude renditions through AI algorithms.
A recent report titled “A Revealing Photo” by social media analytics firm Graphika highlighted that a consortium of 34 websites amassed over 24 million unique visitors in September. The research findings were sourced from the Similarweb traffic analysis platform.
The report underscores a substantial surge in solicited link spam activity on platforms like X and Reddit, exceeding a 2,000% uptick since the beginning of the year for these specific websites and applications.
Additionally, the report identifies 53 new Telegram groups facilitating access to these services, each boasting a membership of at least 1 million individuals.
The report’s authors anticipate that the increasing popularity and accessibility of these services may lead to a rise in online harms, including the creation and distribution of non-consensual nude imagery, targeted harassment campaigns, extortion through sexual content, and the proliferation of child sexual abuse material.
While the existence of algorithmically generated nude content has been prevalent for some time, recent instances have involved the unauthorized manipulation of images depicting celebrities and virtual personalities.
For instance, the Twitch streamer QTCinderella faced the circulation of manipulated adult content online in February, prompting her to express the profound impact on her mental well-being in a subsequent post.
QTCinderella lamented the distressing effects of witnessing such content on her self-perception, highlighting the complexities beyond mere violation.
In a separate incident in September, over 20 synthetic nude images of women were disseminated across multiple Spanish educational institutions, reportedly generated using an AI program.
