With the rise of artificial intelligence, anyone with internet access can now create AI-generated pornography. On the messaging app Telegram, millions of users are exploiting AI-powered “bots” to generate nonconsensual, nude images of others.
Telegram, launched in 2013, is a messaging and social media platform known for its speed and security, boasting over 500 million active users. The app offers private messaging, video calls, and public groups where large communities can interact. However, according to a WIRED investigation, more than 50 AI-powered bots on Telegram have been used for nonconsensual image abuse.
Using AI to manipulate images for explicit content is not new, but its accessibility has grown significantly. In 2020, Henry Ajder discovered a Telegram bot designed to undress people in images. These bots vary in capability, with some removing clothing from photos and others generating explicit deepfake content. More than 4 million users engage with these bots monthly, with some individual bots amassing over 400,000 active users each.
This alarming number of participants highlights the growing normalization of deepfake exploitation. Women and children are frequently targeted, making this a significant global issue. These bots, which function as mini-apps within Telegram, are promoted and supported by Telegram channels. These channels notify users of new bot features, provide purchasing options for tokens required to use the bots, and share links to new bots if others get removed.
Although some of these bots have been taken down, nonconsensual intimate image abuse (NCII) remains a pressing problem. AI-powered deepfake tools openly market their ability to strip clothing from images. One bot even advertised: “I can do anything you want with the face or clothes in the photo you provide.”
Being a victim of NCII or deepfake abuse can be devastating. The companies behind these technologies must take responsibility. Elena Michael, co-founder of #NotYourPorn, told WIRED that Telegram has been “notoriously difficult” to engage with on safety concerns. While the company has made some progress in moderation, Michael believes Telegram must take a more proactive approach to prevent the spread of abusive content.
Social media platforms and AI developers have a duty to establish safeguards against deepfake exploitation. While AI has many positive applications, it is essential to counter its harmful uses.
Education Is Key to Fighting Deepfake Abuse
One of the most effective ways to combat AI-generated deepfakes and NCII is education. Understanding the risks and impact of this issue allows individuals to take action and raise awareness. Important conversations can inspire change and encourage more stringent policies.
Numerous resources exist to educate people about deepfake abuse and its consequences:
Fight The New Drug’s three-part documentary Brain Heart World explores the negative effects of pornography.
A collection of Fight The New Drug blog articles provides factual insights into the industry.
The Consider Before Consuming podcast discusses the science and research behind pornography’s impact.
Fight The New Drug’s YouTube channel offers personal testimonies and educational videos.
AI-generated porn may appear ethical, but if an individual’s likeness is used without consent, it is still abuse. Deepfake technology makes it nearly impossible to differentiate real from fabricated images. Many people believe what they see, causing severe emotional trauma for victims.
Take the time to educate yourself and advocate against exploitative AI technology. Together, we can create a safer digital world.
Italy (AGCOM): Mandatory age checks on adult sites start Nov 12
Italy’s communications regulator, AGCOM, will enforce mandatory age verification for pornography websites starting November 12, 2025. The system is designed to block access by minors and relies on certified third parties (such as banks or mobile operators) to confirm whether a visitor is 18+. After verification, the third party issues an access code that lets the user proceed to the site.
AGCOM describes a “double anonymity” model: adult sites receive only an “of-age” confirmation and never the user’s identity, while verifiers do not see which website the person is trying to access. According to the rules, the check is required on every visit, not just once.
An initial enforcement list covers around 50 services, including major platforms that host or distribute pornographic content in Italy. Sites found non-compliant can face penalties of up to €250,000.
What changes in practice
Start date: November 12, 2025.
Who verifies: Certified third parties that already hold user identity data.
What sites see: Only that a user is of age, not who they are.
Frequency: Verification is required each time a covered site is accessed.
Enforcement: Fines up to €250,000 for failures to comply.
Italy’s move aligns with broader European efforts to implement age-assurance on adult content. Platforms operating in the country are expected to finalize integrations with certified providers and update user flows to meet the deadline, while users should anticipate an extra verification step before entering affected sites.
Discord: ID photos of 70,000 users may have been exposed via third-party breach
Discord says official ID photos and other data tied to about 70,000 users may have been exposed after a cyber-attack on an external provider used for age verification and customer support. The company, which reports more than 200 million users globally, said on 9 October 2025 that its own platform was not breached and that access for the affected vendor has been revoked.
According to Discord, the leaked information could include personal details, ID images submitted for age checks, partial credit-card data, and messages exchanged with customer support agents. The company added that no full card numbers, account passwords, or messages beyond support conversations were involved. Impacted users have been notified, and the firm says it is cooperating with law-enforcement authorities.
Discord did not name the third-party provider. A representative from Zendesk, which provides customer-service software to Discord, told the BBC its systems were not compromised and that the incident was not caused by a Zendesk vulnerability. Discord also rejected online claims that the breach was larger than stated, calling them inaccurate and “part of an attempt to extort payment,” and clarified that the incident was not a ransomware attack: “We will not reward those responsible for their illegal actions,” a spokesperson said.
The incident underscores why attackers target high-value personal data—such as full names and government-issued identifiers—that tend to remain constant over time and are useful in scams. Discord has tightened age-verification practices in recent years amid concerns about the distribution of prohibited content on some servers and says it continues to invest in safety and verification controls.
Valve Deckard: What It Could Mean for VR Adult Content
The Deckard is an upcoming VR headset from Valve, expected to launch in the next few months. If current leaks hold, it could be a major upgrade for immersive adult viewing.
Launch timeline. Chinese analyst group XR Research Institute suggests Deckard is targeting the holiday season, with projected annual production of 400k–600k units, comparable to early Vision Pro volumes.
Pricing. Expectations point to a premium ($1,000+) price tier paired with high-end performance.
Why it matters for VR erotica (platform-agnostic):
Display tech. High-resolution OLED/LCD panels with strong contrast and color should elevate skin tones, low-light scenes, and fine detail.
Input & tracking. Newly referenced “Roy” touch-style controllers in SteamVR code hint at better ergonomics and precision—useful for interactive experiences.
Deckard features (per code dives/leaks):
Standalone + PCVR hybrid. Emphasis on wireless PC streaming for 6K/8K playback without tether drag, alongside native PCVR.
Comfort & design. Ergonomic improvements aim at longer, more comfortable sessions.
App compatibility. Popular VR video apps (e.g., PCVR players and standalone viewers) are expected to work seamlessly with Deckard, based on typical SteamVR support patterns and developer indications.
Bottom line: if Valve delivers on display quality, wireless PCVR, and ergonomics, Deckard could become a flagship device for high-bitrate adult VR—without locking users to any single platform.
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