According to Ars Technica, Meta was slow to remove advertisements on Facebook and Instagram that promoted so-called 'nudify' apps using real photos of young girls.
Key facts
- Ars Technica reported that ads for 'nudify' apps appeared on Facebook and Instagram.
- The ads reportedly used real photos of young girls taken from Instagram.
- One ad reportedly carried the line 'This is the AI men actually use.'
- The report says Meta was slow to remove the ads.
Meta faced fresh scrutiny after a report said the company was slow to remove advertisements promoting apps designed to digitally ‘nudify’ images of young girls, according to Ars Technica.
The outlet reported that the ads appeared on Facebook and Instagram, both owned by Meta, and that some used real photographs of young girls taken from Instagram itself. The apps in question use artificial intelligence to alter images so that subjects appear undressed.
According to Ars Technica, one of the ads promoting such an app carried the line ‘This is the AI men actually use,’ explicitly marketing the technology to potential users.
The report characterized Meta as having ‘dragged its feet’ in removing the ads, raising questions about how quickly the company acts to take down content that violates its policies and potentially exploits minors.
The reporting highlights ongoing concerns about how AI image-manipulation tools are advertised and distributed on major social media platforms, and about the safeguards in place to prevent real images of minors from being used in harmful ways.
Why it matters
The report raises serious child-safety concerns about how AI 'nudify' tools are advertised on mainstream platforms used by millions, including minors. It also adds to broader questions over whether large technology companies are moving fast enough to police harmful content and protect young users.
Frequently asked questions
What are 'nudify' apps?
According to the report, they are apps that use AI to alter images so that the subjects appear undressed. The ads in question reportedly used real photos of young girls.
Where did the ads appear?
Ars Technica reported the ads appeared on Facebook and Instagram, both of which are owned by Meta.
How did Meta respond?
The report said Meta was slow, or 'dragged its feet,' in removing the ads. No further company response is detailed in the available source.