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Mainstream social media platforms are frequently serving as primary gateways to "nudify" websites, despite internal policies prohibiting nonconsensual intimate imagery (NCII). A report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) found that major platforms directed over 5.7 million visits to these sites between late 2025 and early 2026, often through content that promotes, reviews, or provides access to AI-driven tools designed to undress individuals digitally without their consent.
The Role of Mainstream Platforms in NCII Proliferation
The ISD study identified YouTube and X (formerly Twitter) as the most significant drivers of traffic to services that generate nonconsensual explicit deepfakes. According to the report, YouTube accounted for approximately 1.82 million of these referrals, representing over 30% of the total traffic analyzed. X followed as the second-largest source, contributing more than 1.3 million visits.
While these platforms maintain strict community guidelines regarding sexually explicit material, the ISD research suggests these policies are inconsistently enforced. The report notes that content featuring "nudify" apps—including videos that offer promo codes or instructions on how to use these tools—remains discoverable on these mainstream networks. Melanie Smith, senior director of research and policy at ISD, stated that platforms are often not just passive conduits but are actively facilitating the use of these tools by hosting promotional content.
Platform Policy vs. Enforcement
YouTube’s official stance, as articulated by spokesperson Boot Bullwinkle, is that the company prohibits content involving unwanted sexualization, including synthetic or altered imagery that realistically simulates nudity. This policy extends to external links, meaning that directing users to websites that host NCII violates the platform’s terms of service.
Despite these clear prohibitions, the gap between policy and practice remains substantial. The ISD report highlights that the ease of finding "undress" content suggests that automated moderation systems and human reporting mechanisms are failing to flag these specific types of referrals effectively. The study argues that by failing to restrict this content, platforms are effectively acting as gateways to a $36 million ecosystem of nonconsensual imagery.
Motivations and Economic Impact
The "nudify" industry has become a lucrative sector, with some estimates suggesting these tools generate up to $36 million in annual revenue. Because these services can produce images for as little as $1 per request, they remain highly accessible to a broad user base.
The impact of these tools extends beyond simple sexual exploitation. Smith noted that researchers were surprised to find that many users seek out these tools not for sexual gratification, but as a weapon for harassment. The study found that targets often include ex-partners and family members, with the explicit intent of destroying professional reputations, compromising livelihoods, or inflicting personal harm.
Key Findings at a Glance
- Traffic Volume: Over 5.7 million visits to nudify sites originated from social media between December 2025 and March 2026.
- Top Referral Sources: YouTube (1.82 million visits) and X (1.3 million visits) were the primary drivers.
- Content Types: Referrals primarily occurred through videos reviewing apps, providing tutorials, or distributing free credits for generation tools.
- User Intent: Beyond sexual interest, many users employ these tools specifically to harass, intimidate, or compromise the careers of their targets.
As these AI-generated tools continue to evolve, the challenge for social media companies lies in closing the gap between their stated safety policies and the reality of their platform ecosystems. The ISD report emphasizes that until platforms address the promotional content that funnels users to these sites, they remain an integral part of the infrastructure that enables the creation of nonconsensual intimate imagery.
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