The Growing Threat of AI Deepfakes for Women in India
Artificial intelligence is revolutionizing our world, but not always for the better. In India, a disturbing trend is emerging: the rise of ‘nudify’ apps and AI-powered deepfakes is forcing women to retreat from the internet. These technologies allow anyone to digitally strip images or create hyper-realistic fake videos, often with malicious intent. The result? A new wave of cyber harassment and extortion that leaves women feeling unsafe online.
Chilling Effect: Women Silenced by Fear
Many Indian women now hesitate to post photos or engage on social media, fearing their images could be stolen and manipulated. The emotional toll is high. Victims face anxiety, shame, and sometimes blackmail. Social media was supposed to be a platform for self-expression and connection, but for many, it has become a digital minefield. It’s a sad irony: the technology meant to empower is now a tool for abuse.
If only AI could delete creeps as easily as it generates fake images, right? Until then, policymakers, tech companies, and society need to step up and protect women’s rights in the digital age. Nobody should have to trade their safety for a voice online.
Sources:
The Guardian: How fear of ‘nudify’ apps and AI deepfakes is keeping Indian women off the internet
