The world of the Internet is known for its rapid developments and unexpected turns. One of the most recent and most disturbing developments is the rise of online services that use artificial intelligence (AI) to convert photos of clothed people into nude images.
Once a taboo subject in the dark corners of the Internet, this practice has become a lucrative business that not only raises ethical questions but also poses legal challenges.
The beginnings: From the porn niche to the business model
recent report from the digital analytics company Graphicka shows how this questionable practice has developed from an obscure porn niche into an established business . The study of 34 such online services found that these websites attracted more than 24 million visitors in September alone.
Also notable is the huge increase in spam pointing to these services on platforms such as Reddit and X (Twitter).
The business model: Freemium attracts users
Interestingly, many of these services operate on a freemium model. Users can initially “undress” some images for free, but fees are charged for further editing.
Prices range from $2 per image to $300 for advanced access and features. This pricing structure makes it easy to acquire users and gradually convert them into paying customers.
Moral and legal concerns of these digital possibilities
The moral and legal concerns this practice raises are immense. Platforms such as
Particularly alarming are cases in which AI-generated nude images have led to harassment and even crimes. One service provider investigated by Graphicka even appears to advertise the possibility of using the nude images it creates for harassing purposes.
Conclusion: An urgent wake-up call in the digital world
This trend is more than just a disturbing internet curiosity; it is a wake-up call about the potential misuse of AI technology.
As technology advances, we as a society must decide how and where to set boundaries to prevent abuse and protect the privacy and dignity of all people.
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Source: heise.de
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Notes:
1) This content reflects the current state of affairs at the time of publication. The reproduction of individual images, screenshots, embeds or video sequences serves to discuss the topic. 2) Individual contributions were created through the use of machine assistance and were carefully checked by the Mimikama editorial team before publication. ( Reason )