WIRED uncovers hidden sexual deepfake tools behind ordinary AI apps

WIRED has uncovered a network of more than 400 apps and websites that concealed sexually abusive deepfake tools behind seemingly ordinary AI services.

Some presented themselves as pet portrait generators, language tutors, or fitness coaches. Under certain conditions, they loaded a different interface that let users place uploaded photos of people into explicit images and videos, including scenes of sexual violence, according to the investigation.

WIRED linked the network to Chinese developers and Hong Kong-registered KeLing Technology Limited through domain records, code, and contact information. The operation appears to have been publishing apps for roughly a year, sometimes releasing dozens a week.

Advertisements on Facebook and Instagram directed users to listings in Apple’s App Store and Google Play. Users could then pay for the deepfake tools through Apple and Google’s payment systems.

Apple removed 19 apps after journalists shared their findings. The company said the apps complied with its rules when reviewed, but developers subsequently changed the websites supplying their content, replacing approved material with pornography.

KeLing and associated contacts did not respond to requests for comment. After WIRED approached them, company email addresses disappeared from linked websites and some associated social media channels were renamed.

Google had removed most of the identified apps before WIRED contacted it. Meta said it took action against 11,600 advertising accounts and blocked 209 apps from advertising on its platforms.