A recent report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), an organization focused on combating extremism, has revealed alarming trends in the spread of nonconsensual intimate images (NCII) on social media platforms. These images, which include sexually explicit photos and videos shared without consent, are a serious violation of privacy and dignity. Although most mainstream social media sites have strict rules against sharing such content, the ISD's study found that many of these platforms are, paradoxically, directing users to websites and apps that generate NCII through digital manipulation.
The report, published in early 2026, examined the online ecosystem surrounding so-called "nudify" apps and websites. These tools allow users to create deepfake images that simulate nudity by digitally "undressing" individuals without their permission. The study analyzed the top 10 platforms used for creating such explicit deepfakes and investigated how users discover and access these services. Surprisingly, the majority of referral traffic to these nudify sites does not come from fringe internet communities often associated with such harmful content, such as 4chan, but rather from mainstream social media networks.
Between December 2025 and March 2026, social media platforms were responsible for sending more than 5.7 million visits to nudify websites. YouTube emerged as the leading source, accounting for approximately 1.82 million referrals-over 30 percent of the total. Searches on YouTube using terms like "undress app" or "nudify app" would return videos that ranged from app reviews and promotions to sharing discount codes that provide free credits for generating explicit images. X (formerly Twitter) was the second-largest referrer, contributing more than 1.3 million visits during the same period.
The report highlights a troubling contradiction: YouTube's official policies expressly ban sexually explicit content, which logically should include nudify apps and tools that produce nonconsensual explicit imagery. However, the report states that content violating these policies was "easily discoverable and accessible" on YouTube, effectively turning the platform into a gateway for such harmful websites. Melanie Smith, senior director of research and policy at ISD, told WIRED that YouTube was not merely a passive source of traffic but actively facilitated the use of these tools in many cases.
Moreover, Smith pointed out that YouTube's rules prohibit not only sexually explicit content but also links to or advertisements for sexually explicit websites, such as OnlyFans. In theory, this should also cover content and services related to nonconsensual imagery and revenge porn. Yet, enforcement appears inconsistent and incomplete, allowing many violative materials to remain accessible.
YouTube responded to WIRED's inquiry through spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle, who reaffirmed the company's "strict policies prohibiting content that includes unwanted sexualization, such as nonconsensually shared intimate imagery." He emphasized that these policies apply to both content hosted on YouTube and external links, including altered or synthetic content that realistically simulates nudity.
The ISD study also examined the pricing and business models of nudify tools, finding that some apps and websites allow users to generate sexually explicit deepfake images for as little as one dollar per image. Despite their low cost, these platforms can be highly profitable. A recent WIRED investigation estimated that collectively, nudify services may generate up to $36 million in annual revenue.
The report uncovered concerning patterns in the targets and motivations behind the use of these apps. Common victims include current and former romantic partners, as well as relatives such as sisters and cousins. Disturbingly, many users employ nudify tools not for sexual gratification but to harm others by damaging their reputations or jeopardizing their livelihoods. Smith noted that many requests aimed to get individuals fired from their jobs or otherwise compromise their lives, highlighting the malicious intent behind much of this abuse.
Nudify apps have become a significant problem across social media platforms. In some cases, platforms not only tolerate the spread of AI-generated explicit images but also inadvertently assist users in creating them. For example, in January 2026, X faced heavy criticism after users exploited its AI chatbot, Grok, to produce nude or sexually suggestive images of women without their consent, including minors. The backlash pressured the company to restrict Grok's availability to paid users only. X issued a statement affirming its commitment to safety and zero tolerance for child sexual exploitation, nonconsensual nudity, and unwanted sexual content. However, the company did not provide additional comments when approached for this report.
Legally, NCII is prohibited in the United States. The federal Take It Down Act, which took full effect in May 2026, requires social media platforms to remove nonconsensually shared intimate images within 48 hours of a victim's takedown request. Additionally, most U.S. states have enacted anti-deepfake laws, and in May 2026, Minnesota became the first state to specifically ban nudification apps. Despite these legal measures, the proliferation and accessibility of these tools have only increased, making enforcement and prevention more challenging.
The ISD report calls for comprehensive and coordinated responses to the problem of nudify apps and NCII, advocating for a mix of online, offline, hybrid, and policy-driven interventions. These include stronger platform regulations and increased funding for digital literacy education in schools. The need for such measures is urgent, as a recent WIRED investigation found reports of deepfake-related incidents in over 90 schools worldwide, underscoring the widespread impact on young people.
In summary, the ISD's research exposes a disturbing paradox within the digital landscape: mainstream social media platforms, despite their stated policies against sexually explicit and nonconsensual content, are serving as major conduits for traffic to nudify apps that facilitate the creation of explicit deepfake images without consent. This phenomenon poses grave risks to individuals' privacy, safety, and well-being, with existing laws and platform policies struggling to keep pace with the rapid evolution and growing accessibility of these harmful technologies. The report's findings highlight the urgent need for stronger enforcement, better regulation, and broader educational efforts to combat the spread of nonconsensual intimate imagery online.