7.7% of Australians targeted by AI-generated intimate image abuse
RMIT research finds 7.7 per cent of Australians have experienced AI-generated intimate image abuse.
RMIT University did a new study on AI-generated intimate image abuse in Australia. 7.7 per cent of adults, or about one in 15, have faced this harm.
Such abuse involves creating and sharing sexual deepfake images without consent. The abuse also includes threats to do this.
Nearly 87 per cent of victims said it hurt their daily lives badly. It harmed their health, relationships, work, and money.
Younger people aged under 35 reported more abuse. People from marginalised racial and ethnic groups did too.
So did people with disabilities. Men experienced abuse at more than twice the rate of women (10.2 per cent versus 3.8 per cent).
But women reported worse effects. These included fear for their safety and damage to physical and mental health.
The study surveyed more than 7200 adults across Australia, the United States and the United Kingdom.
- 7.7% of Australians
- Prevalence rate
- Nearly 87% report daily harms
- Victim impact
- 10.2% men vs 3.8% women
- Gender disparity
- $109.2 million
- Penalty for noncompliance
Why it mattersThe scale of abuse is much higher than many realised. Current protections are not keeping up with the harm being caused.
AustraliaThe federal government's new digital duty of care laws, passed last week, will require online platforms to actively prevent AI-generated intimate material created without consent, with penalties up to $109.2 million for non-compliance.
Corroborated bythenightly.com.au
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
