YouTube and X Drive Traffic to Deepfake Nudify Apps

A new report from the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) reveals that mainstream social media platforms are serving as primary gateways to AI-driven 'nudify' apps. Between December 2025 and March 2026, YouTube and X were responsible for over 5.7 million visits to these websites. YouTube accounted for approximately 30% of this traffic, while X contributed over 1.3 million visits. These findings challenge the perception that such explicit deepfake tools are confined to the dark corners of the internet, showing they are easily accessible via popular social channels.

These nudification tools, which use generative AI to realistically alter images to appear sexually explicit, are highly profitable. Some sites reportedly generate up to $36 million in collective annual revenue, with users able to access services for as little as $1 per image. The report highlights that content promoting these tools, including review videos and referral codes, remains discoverable on platforms that officially prohibit non-consensual intimate imagery. Researchers argue that current moderation policies are insufficient to stop the proliferation of links that facilitate this abuse.

The most frequent targets for these non-consensual deepfakes include personal acquaintances, such as partners and relatives. Beyond the clear privacy and ethical violations, the report notes that users are often motivated by a desire to cause real-world harm, such as destroying careers or social reputations. While YouTube spokespersons have emphasized strict policies against non-consensual intimate imagery and synthetic nudity, the study suggests a significant gap between policy enforcement and the reality of how these tools reach users through mainstream algorithmic discovery.