Image-Based and Deepfake Abuse: An Escalating Digital Threat

Image-based abuse has become one of the most severe forms of online harm, increasingly amplified by advances in artificial intelligence. At its core, this abuse involves the non-consensual sharing of private or intimate images, as well as the creation of sexually explicit content by digitally morphing, splicing, or superimposing a person’s face onto another body using AI-powered deepfake tools. Often referred to as “revenge porn,” the term fails to capture the true scale, intent, and lasting damage caused by these acts.

The most alarming aspect of AI-driven deepfake abuse is how easy it has become. Tools that once required specialist skills are now widely accessible, enabling realistic fake images and videos to be created in minutes. Victims—predominantly women, but increasingly men and minors—can be targeted without ever having shared intimate material. A single publicly available photograph from social media is often enough to generate convincing sexualized content.

The consequences extend far beyond momentary embarrassment. Victims frequently endure deep psychological distress, reputational ruin, career setbacks, and social withdrawal. Deepfakes distort reality, forcing individuals to defend themselves against fabricated content in an online environment where visibility is often mistaken for truth. Once circulated, such material is extremely difficult—if not impossible—to fully remove.

Despite growing awareness, legal and platform responses remain inadequate. While many jurisdictions have criminalized non-consensual intimate imagery, enforcement is slow, cross-border challenges persist, and takedown mechanisms are largely reactive. Victims are often left to navigate complex reporting systems on their own.

Experts stress that combating this abuse demands a trust-by-design approach—proactive deepfake detection, content authenticity checks before publication, stronger identity accountability, and faster legal recourse. In the age of generative AI, safeguarding digital dignity is no longer optional; it is essential to preserving trust in the online world.