AI-powered deepfakes and “nudify” apps are driving a surge in digital harassment against women in India, creating what researchers describe as a growing “chilling effect” that is pushing many offline. A new report from the Rati Foundation and Tattle shows that roughly 10% of cases reported to a nationwide abuse helpline now involve AI-manipulated images, often used for blackmail or public shaming. Women say the threat is prompting them to retreat from social media, avoid being photographed and replace profile pictures with illustrations.
The report warns that India’s legal system and major platforms remain ill-equipped to respond. Deepfakes continue to operate in a legal grey zone, and companies such as Meta, Instagram, WhatsApp and YouTube are frequently criticized for opaque or slow responses to abuse. Researchers say the rapid spread and persistence of AI-generated abuse have created widespread fatigue, and many women are deciding to limit themselves off social media for the time being.
Compiled From: Aisha Down, “The chilling effect: how fear of “nudify” apps and AI deepfakes is keeping Indian women off the internet”, The Guardian, Nov. 5, 2025.