Report finds AI nudify apps have hit nearly 90 schools worldwide

In short: Schools in many countries are dealing with students using “nudify” apps to make and share fake nude images of classmates.

What's going on

An analysis by WIRED and Indicator reviewed publicly reported cases where students used “nudify” tools to create fake nude photos or videos of other students. These tools use generative AI, which is software that can create new images from existing ones (like a machine that can remix a normal photo into something that looks real).

WIRED and Indicator found incidents linked to nearly 90 schools around the world, affecting more than 600 pupils, based on reports with specific details like locations and possible victim counts. Since 2023, students in at least 28 countries have been accused of making these sexualized deepfakes, which are realistic-looking fakes. In many cases, the images start with a photo taken from social media and then spread quickly in group chats and school communities.

The report notes patterns across regions. The suspected creators are most often teenage boys, and the targets are usually girls they know from school. Because the fake images involve minors, they can be treated as child sexual abuse material, which can trigger serious legal consequences.

What to watch

The true scale is likely larger than what is publicly reported, since many schools handle cases privately. Some schools are already changing how they share student photos, for example by limiting yearbook pictures or using less identifiable images like silhouettes. The report also points to uneven responses from schools and police, so parents and students may see more pressure for clearer rules, faster takedowns, and training on how to respond when this happens.

Source: Wired