The Alarming Rise Of AI Apps Creating Explicit Images Of Real People

As AI evolves, it’s brought with it an alarming rise in “nudify” tools - hundreds of apps and sites that can now easily make fake explicit imagery from photos of anyone, including children. One man in Minneapolis used one of these sites to create graphic content of more than 80 women, including many of his close friends. Three of these women sat down with CNBC to tell their stories of how these fake photos and videos have caused irreversible harm. Often marketed as simple face-swappers, nudify tools are everywhere, from the Apple and Google app stores to ads on Facebook and Instagram. It’s legal to create nonconsensual deepfakes, but now this group of friends and a Minnesota state senator is trying to change that.
Warning: This story contains sensitive content.

Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
2:16 Finding fake nudes
6:40 Easy, cheap and profitable
8:50 Role of big tech
12:36 Fighting back

Produced and Shot by: Katie Tarasov
Reporting by: Jonathan Vanian
Edited by: Marisa Forziati
Additional Camera: Jordan Wyatt
Additional Editing: Erin Black
Senior Director of Video: Jeniece Pettitt
Animation: Emily Park, Jason Reginato
Additional Footage: Getty Images

» Subscribe to CNBC: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBC
» Subscribe to CNBC TV: https://cnb.cx/SubscribeCNBCtelevision
» Watch CNBC on the go with CNBC+: https://www.cnbc.com/WatchCNBCPlus

About CNBC: From 'Wall Street' to 'Main Street' to award winning original documentaries and Reality TV series, CNBC has you covered. Experience special sneak peeks of your favorite shows, exclusive video and more.

Want to be your own boss? Sign up for Smarter by CNBC Make It's new online course, How To Start A Business: For First-Time Founders. Find step-by-step guidance for launching your first business, from testing your idea to growing your revenue. Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 30% off the regular course price of $127 (plus tax). Offer valid September 16 through September 30, 2025: https://cnb.cx/4gEgnhO

Connect with CNBC News Online
Get the latest news: https://www.cnbc.com/
Follow CNBC on LinkedIn: https://cnb.cx/LinkedInCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Instagram: https://cnb.cx/InstagramCNBC
Follow CNBC News on Facebook: https://cnb.cx/LikeCNBC
Follow CNBC on Threads: https://cnb.cx/threads
Follow CNBC News on X: https://cnb.cx/FollowCNBC
Follow CNBC on WhatsApp: https://cnb.cx/WhatsAppCNBC

#CNBC

The Alarming Rise Of AI Apps Creating Explicit Images Of Real People

Post from CNBC on September 27, 2025

View Original Post