YouTube and X Become 'Gateways' to Nudify Apps, Study Finds
Original: YouTube and X Have Become ‘Gateways’ to Nudify Apps
Why This Matters
Mainstream platforms' role in distributing NCII-enabling tools highlights critical gaps in content policy enforcement around AI-generated explicit imagery.
A report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue found that social media platforms drove over 5.7 million visits to nudify sites between December 2025 and March 2026. YouTube led with 1.82 million referrals, followed by X with 1.3 million, despite both platforms having policies against explicit content.
The Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), an anti-extremism and anti-disinformation organization, published a study on Monday analyzing how mainstream social media platforms have become primary referral sources for so-called 'nudify' apps — tools that digitally undress people without their consent. The study examined the top 10 nudify apps and websites and tracked how users discover them.
Between December 2025 and March 2026, social networks drove more than 5.7 million visits to nudify sites. YouTube was the top traffic source, accounting for 1.82 million visits (over 30% of referrals), through videos surfaced via searches like 'undress app' or 'nudify app.' These videos ranged from app reviews and promotions to links offering free credits. X was the second-largest source, responsible for over 1.3 million visits.
ISD Senior Director of Research and Policy Melanie Smith told WIRED that 'YouTube was not just a passive source' but was actively 'facilitating the use of these tools.' She noted that YouTube's policies prohibit both sexually explicit content and links to such sites, yet enforcement appeared inconsistent.
In response, YouTube spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle stated the platform has 'strict policies prohibiting content that includes unwanted sexualization,' including 'altered or synthetic content that realistically simulates nudity,' covering both on-platform content and external links.
The study also found that nudify tools are priced as low as $1 per image, making them highly accessible while remaining potentially very profitable for operators.