RCI calls for a ban on ‘nudification’ functionality of AI

Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) is calling for a total ban on artificial intelligence (AI)-based functions that can produce deepfake sexual images of children and adults.

Below is the text of a press release we issued on 6th January 2026:

Rape Crisis Ireland calls for a ban on ‘nudification’ functionality of AI to prevent exploitation 

Rape Crisis Ireland (RCI) is calling for a total ban on artificial intelligence (AI)-based functions that can produce deepfake sexual images of children and adults. The policy-level organisation, which advocates on behalf of survivors of sexual violence, says there seems to be no reason for the existence of ‘nudification’ functionality on AI apps beyond exploitation.  

Generative AI can be used to produce deepfake nude images of real people, involving the removing of clothes, getting an image to move sexually, or pasting a head onto a naked body. The results often look highly realistic and the overwhelming majority of sexually explicit deepfakes accessible online are estimated to be of women and girls.  

RCI is calling on the Government to make it illegal to possess, create or distribute AI tools that can generate deepfake ‘nudification’ images. 

While welcoming Coimisiún na Meán’s raising of this issue in relation to the recent incidents on the X platform with the EU Commission, RCI is also highlighting that we do already have Irish law on this question.  

RCI’s Executive Director, Dr Clíona Saidléar, says “We would like to remind the Irish public that the sharing online of non-consensual sexual images, including deepfakes, is a crime under Irish law. Anyone generating and sharing a non-consensual image is committing a crime. Anyone who has been affected by online deepfake abuse can report it to the Gardaí or hotline.ie and can reach out to receive support from their local rape crisis centre.” 

She continues: “AI and the corporations behind those AIs are complicit in these crimes if they do not have the adequate controls and AI governance frameworks in place to prevent the non-consensual sexualisation and abuse of women and children. These ‘nudification’ functions of AI, together with other ‘nudify’ apps, seem to serve little rational purpose other than to allow predators to abuse women and children online.” 

Those impacted can report to An Garda Síochána or the Irish national reporting centre Hotline.ie 

Seek support from a rape crisis centre or other support service – details here www.rapecrisisireland.ie