Deepnudes Among Young People in Belgium: Prevalence, Market and Impact of AI-Generated Sexual Abuse

Deepnudes are realistic yet entirely fabricated nude or sexual images and videos of real people, generated by artificial intelligence. They are a form of digital sexual violence and fall under the broader category of image-based sexual abuse (IBSA). A widely cited case involved Indian journalist Rana Ayyub, who in 2018 received a fake sexual video of herself days after a televised political appearance, with devastating personal and professional consequences. As AI tools become easier to access, the threshold for producing such content has dropped sharply, making deepnudes a growing concern for young people. This article summarises a 2024 study by the University of Antwerp, commissioned by the Institute for the Equality of Women and Men, that measures how widespread deepnudes are among young people in Belgium.

Deepnudes are a specific type of deepfake, created through deep learning techniques such as Generative Adversarial Networks (GANs), in which a generator produces synthetic images and a discriminator attempts to tell them apart from real ones. Over time the generated images become increasingly convincing. Users can now produce them through simple websites or downloadable apps, often called 'undress' or 'AI porn' apps, which transform a clothed photo into a naked image. Because such apps are removed as quickly as they appear, they are hard to track, and no advanced digital skills are needed to achieve realistic results. The line between authentic and fake has become extremely blurred, which makes detection difficult.

The survey of 2,819 respondents aged 15-25 found that 41.9% had previously heard of deepnudes and 23.1% had seen one, most often on social media, particularly Snapchat, Twitter/X and Instagram. Among the 12.8% familiar with deepnude apps, 60.5% had attempted to create one. Motivations reported included revenge and impressing friends. In total, 7.6% of respondents possessed deepnudes and 13.8% had received one. These figures show that deepnudes are part of the everyday digital lives of young people in Belgium, not a fringe phenomenon, and underline the need for awareness about their illegal and harmful nature.

The study found significant gender differences across every variable examined. Men were significantly more likely to know about deepnudes, to view them, to attempt to create them, to possess them and to receive them. These results suggest that deepnudes may be a gender-related problem, with men overrepresented in all aspects of the phenomenon. The authors caution, however, that the study population is too small for definitive conclusions, and further research is needed to confirm and explain this pattern.

The study analysed the deepnude app market, examining terms of service, privacy policies and how these apps actually operate. Many claim to prohibit minors, the creation of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and non-consensual imagery, yet analysis of their systems revealed a significant gap between these written promises and reality. Platforms that host or distribute deepnudes, including major social networks, also raise regulatory questions under frameworks such as the Digital Services Act, underlining the need for stronger oversight and rapid removal mechanisms.

Research indicates that the psychological consequences of deepnudes are comparable to those of traditional image-based abuse, such as the non-consensual sharing of intimate images. Because online content can be copied endlessly, victims risk carrying the harm throughout their lives via a lasting digital footprint. Perpetrators are often motivated by revenge, humiliation, sexual gratification or peer pressure, and the anonymity of online tools can lower the perceived barriers to abuse. Victim blaming, which holds those harmed responsible for what happened to them, remains a serious obstacle to support and justice.

Legal responses to deepnudes depend on several factors: whether the image depicts a real person, whether consent was given, and what technology was used. Criminal liability for deepnudes of adults is possible under existing laws on privacy and sexual image abuse, but the position for minors is more complex and contains gaps, particularly where images may fall under child sexual abuse material legislation. At EU level, the proposed AI Act and the Directive on combating gender-based violence aim to address these issues, though the study highlights that enforcement and clarity remain essential.

The study recommends stricter regulation of online platforms to detect and remove deepnudes quickly; tighter rules and enforcement for deepnude apps; awareness campaigns and media literacy education targeting young people, including the illegal and harmful aspects of possessing or sharing such images; legal measures that adequately address digital sexual violence; further research into the psychosocial impact on victims; and ongoing monitoring of technological developments so that policy can keep pace with change.

Deepnudes are already present in the lives of a significant share of young people in Belgium, and the study reveals clear gender patterns in their exposure and behaviour. As the technology becomes more accessible and realistic, coordinated action by policymakers, platforms, educators and families is needed. Combining stronger regulation, education and support for victims offers the best path to reducing this form of digital sexual violence.