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Despite recent controversies surrounding the use of artificial intelligence to create non-consensual sexual images, several apps that enable users to digitally strip clothing from photographs remain accessible on both the Apple and Google app stores. This troubling trend has raised significant concerns among women’s rights advocates, who are calling for stricter regulations and better protections against image-based abuse.
Ongoing Concerns Over AI-Generated Content
The issue gained renewed attention following the backlash against Elon Musk’s Grok AI, which was criticised for enabling users to create nude images of women without permission. In the wake of this outcry, a Tech Transparency Project (TTP) investigation revealed a disconcerting number of apps—55 on the US Google Play Store and 47 on the US Apple App Store—that allow users to manipulate photos to remove clothing. A review by The Independent found that similar applications are still available for download in the UK, despite established guidelines prohibiting such content.
The Google Play Store explicitly states that it does not permit apps that promote sexual content or non-consensual acts. The policy aims to protect users from inappropriate or predatory behaviour. Likewise, Apple’s guidelines prohibit content that is deemed offensive or sexually explicit. Yet, both platforms continue to host apps that allow for the digital alteration of women’s images, raising questions about the enforcement of these policies.
The Impact of AI on Women’s Safety
Among the apps identified in the TTP investigation is one that reportedly creates videos of women removing clothing from uploaded photos. Alarmingly, this app has been downloaded over five million times and remains accessible on both major app stores. Another app offers users the chance to “try on” clothing while presenting images of women in revealing attire, further highlighting the troubling nature of these technologies.
In response to the growing concerns, Apple has stated that it removed 28 of the identified apps from its store and is working with developers to address violations. Google has also taken steps to eliminate some of the problematic applications. Nevertheless, the persistence of such apps underscores a significant gap in the protection of individuals against digital exploitation.
Voices for Change
Advocates from organisations such as Refuge, Women’s Aid, and Womankind Worldwide have expressed alarm over the rising trend of AI-driven intimate image abuse. Emma Pickering, head of technology-facilitated abuse at Refuge, emphasised the urgent need for robust regulations surrounding both real and deepfake image abuse. “Women have the right to use technology without fear of abuse,” she stated, calling for improved training for law enforcement and swift justice for survivors of such violations.
The ongoing presence of these apps serves as a reminder of the challenges women face in the digital age. As technology continues to advance, so too must the measures in place to protect individuals from exploitation and harm.
Why it Matters
The availability of these apps on popular platforms not only threatens the safety and mental well-being of women and girls but also highlights a broader societal issue regarding consent and digital ethics. As technology evolves, it is imperative that regulations keep pace to safeguard individuals from the potential misuse of AI. Effective measures must be implemented to ensure that the right to privacy and dignity is respected, fostering an environment where technology serves as a tool for empowerment rather than exploitation.
