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.

The 10th annual Love & Sex With Robots conference is scheduled for August 15-17, 2025, at the Université du Québec in Montreal. Founded by David Levy, author of Love & Sex With Robots: The Evolution of Human-Robot Relationships, this event brings together scientists, academics, and sextech professionals, as well as passionate enthusiasts known as ‘iDollators,’ who are intrigued by the future of human relationships with robots and love dolls.

The conference will feature lectures, panel discussions, and workshops, with both in-person and online options to ensure accessibility. Organizers are currently accepting abstract submissions, with a deadline of March 31, 2025. Suggested topics include robot emotions, teledildonics, roboethics, humanoid robots, and intelligent electronic sex hardware.

This year’s event is sponsored by Kiiroo, a prominent name in the sextech industry. As with previous editions, advancements in AI are expected to take center stage, sparking discussions about their impact on robotics and human-robot interactions. While keynote speakers have yet to be announced, updates are expected soon.

In addition to founder David Levy, the Love & Sex With Robots committee includes notable members such as Simon Dubé, a Kinsey Institute fellow known for his research on sex in space. Other committee members have included Bobbi Bidochka, founder of Imagine Ideation, Emily Jaworski, a graduate of the Institute of Future Studies, and Rebecca Gibson, teaching assistant professor at Virginia Commonwealth University.

The 2025 conference promises to offer fresh insights into the intersection of technology, intimacy, and human connection, making it a must-attend event for those interested in the future of robotics and sextech.

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Britain is set to make creating and sharing sexually explicit “deepfakes” a criminal offense, as part of new measures aimed at curbing the rising abuse of this technology, which primarily targets women and girls, the government announced on Tuesday.

Deepfakes, digitally altered videos, images, or audio clips created using artificial intelligence to appear authentic, have increasingly been misused to manipulate pornographic content into the likeness of unsuspecting individuals.

Although “revenge porn” – the publication of intimate photos or videos without consent to cause distress – was outlawed in 2015, those laws do not cover fabricated imagery like deepfakes. Data from the UK-based Revenge Porn Helpline reveals that cases involving deepfake abuse have risen by more than 400% since 2017, highlighting the urgency for updated legislation.

Under the proposed new laws, perpetrators who create or share explicit deepfakes without consent could face prosecution and criminal charges. Further, the government plans to introduce separate offenses for taking intimate images without consent and installing equipment with the intent to commit such acts. Individuals found guilty of these offenses could face up to two years in prison.

“There is no excuse for creating a sexually explicit deepfake of someone without their consent,” the Ministry of Justice stated.

These measures will form part of the upcoming Crime and Policing Bill, with additional details to be released in the coming months.

A National Response to Image-Based Abuse

Victims Minister Alex Davies-Jones condemned the growing issue, stating, “This demeaning and disgusting form of chauvinism must not become normalized.”

Campaigners, including Jess Davies, emphasized the devastating impact of deepfake abuse. “Intimate-image abuse is a national emergency causing significant, long-lasting harm to women and girls. They face a total loss of control over their digital footprint, at the hands of online misogyny,” she said.

The proposed legislation follows an earlier attempt by the previous Conservative government to introduce similar laws, which would have imposed fines and potential jail time for offenders. However, those plans were not finalized before the Labour Party took power in July.

Tech Platforms Under Pressure

Technology Minister Margaret Jones highlighted the role of tech companies, warning that platforms hosting abusive content will face tougher scrutiny and significant penalties under the new laws. The government has already taken steps to address image-based abuse by amending the Online Safety Act in 2024, requiring platforms to remove harmful content or risk enforcement action by regulators such as Ofcom.

A Step Toward Accountability

The upcoming Crime and Policing Bill is expected to bring clarity and stronger protections for victims of intimate-image abuse, marking a significant step toward addressing the misuse of AI-powered technology in Britain. While the exact date for the bill’s introduction to parliament has not been set, these measures reflect a firm commitment to holding offenders accountable and safeguarding vulnerable individuals from online abuse.

Further updates on the bill and its provisions are expected in the near future.

Source: www.gov.uk