Imagine waking up one day to find a picture of yourself online — but it’s fake.
It looks real.
It’s you… but in a situation you never agreed to.
Maybe your face has been placed onto someone else’s body. Maybe it’s been used to create something abusive, cruel, even illegal.
You feel sick. Violated. Powerless.
And the worst part?
Some app — just some random app anyone can download — made it happen in seconds.
This is the ugly reality that thousands of people, mostly women and girls, are facing right now because of deepfake abuse apps.
And now, people across the UK are demanding action.
They want the government to outlaw these apps — and fast.
What Are Deepfake Abuse Images?
First, let’s be super clear.
A deepfake is a fake image, video, or voice recording that’s been made with powerful AI technology.
It can put someone’s face onto another person’s body.
It can make it look like you said or did something you never actually did.
And while deepfakes can sometimes be harmless or funny (like making it look like your friend is dancing in a silly video), when it comes to abuse, it’s a whole different story.
Deepfake abuse is when people — mostly women and girls — have their faces stolen and used in violent, sexual, or humiliating images and videos.
Most of the time, they have no idea it’s even happening.
Until it’s too late.
How Big Is the Problem?
Honestly?
It’s exploding.
New research shows that deepfake abuse is growing faster than anyone expected.
- One report found that 96% of all deepfake videos online are non-consensual sexual content.
- Most of the victims are women — ordinary women, not celebrities.
- Even teenagers are being targeted.
And it’s way too easy to create this stuff now.
There are dozens of apps and websites that let anyone upload a photo and create a deepfake in minutes.
No skills needed.
No consequences.
Some apps are even free.
Just a few clicks — and someone’s life can be wrecked.
Victims Speak Out: “It Destroys You”
For the people who have been targeted, the emotional impact is massive.
Victims describe feeling ashamed, terrified, and trapped.
Imagine trying to explain to your family, your boss, your friends —
“That’s not me in that picture. I didn’t do that.”
But the image looks real.
And once it’s online, it spreads like wildfire.
Many victims say they feel unsafe just leaving their houses.
Some even quit jobs, change schools, or move cities.
One woman said:
“It felt like my body didn’t belong to me anymore. They stole my face. They stole my dignity.”
Campaigners: “The Law Has to Catch Up”
Right now, in the UK, the law kind of protects people against deepfake abuse… but not really.
There are laws against revenge porn.
There are laws against harassment.
But when it comes to deepfakes made without touching the original person, the laws are outdated.
Apps that help create deepfakes?
They’re not banned.
Sites hosting deepfake images?
Sometimes they get away with it.
Creators of deepfake abuse?
They can often avoid punishment.
This is why campaigners, charities, lawyers, and victims are urging the UK government to act now.
They want new, clear laws that:
- Ban deepfake abuse apps outright.
- Make creating non-consensual deepfake images a serious criminal offense.
- Give police better tools to find and punish offenders.
Politicians Are Paying Attention (Finally)
After months of pressure, some politicians are starting to wake up.
A group of MPs (Members of Parliament) recently said they were “deeply concerned” about how easy it is to make these images.
They agreed that new laws are urgently needed.
Some proposals include:
- Making it illegal to create or share deepfake abuse images without consent.
- Cracking down on apps and websites that allow it.
- Helping victims get images removed quickly.
But campaigners say talk isn’t enough.
They want action — and they want it now.
Technology Is Moving Faster Than The Law
The scary truth is that AI technology is evolving faster than governments can write laws.
Every month, new tools come out that make deepfakes easier, better, and harder to detect.
If leaders don’t act fast, the problem could spiral out of control.
One activist said it perfectly:
“Every day we wait is another day someone’s life is destroyed by a fake image.”
The Bigger Picture: Why It Matters
This isn’t just about a few bad apps.
This is about basic safety, privacy, and human dignity.
If anyone’s face can be stolen and abused online, what does that say about the kind of world we’re building?
A world where technology is used to humiliate, hurt, and silence people — especially women — isn’t progress.
It’s a step backward.
We need a world where technology protects people.
Where laws defend victims, not predators.
Where it’s harder to hurt someone with a click of a button, not easier.
What Needs to Happen Next?
Campaigners are clear:
The UK government must move quickly and pass strong, clear laws.
Here’s what they’re asking for:
✅ Ban apps and websites that make deepfake abuse easy.
✅ Make deepfake image abuse a serious criminal offense.
✅ Give police the power (and money) to investigate and shut down offenders.
✅ Protect victims — help them get fake images taken down fast.
✅ Educate people, especially young people, about the risks and realities of deepfakes.
This isn’t about banning fun or creativity.
It’s about stopping real harm — real lives being ruined — before it gets even worse.
A Final Thought: Don’t Look Away
It’s easy to read about deepfakes and think,
“That could never happen to me.”
But the truth is, it could happen to anyone.
All it takes is a selfie posted online, and a bad person with bad intentions.
No one is completely safe.
That’s why we all need to care.
Even if you’ve never been targeted, standing up for stronger laws protects everyone — your sisters, your daughters, your friends, yourself.
The internet doesn’t have to be a scary, lawless place.
We have the power to demand better.
We just have to speak up — loud, clear, and together.
Because no one deserves to have their face, their body, or their dignity stolen by a machine.
Not now.
Not ever.