YouTube and X Play Key Roles as Gateways to Nudify Apps

Following a thorough review of news summaries, it has been found that the risk posed by unauthorized nudify apps, which generate explicit content of others online, has surged rapidly due to social networks like YouTube and X. A report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD) reveals that between December 2025 and March 2026, there were over 5.7 million visits to such sites through social media platforms. Research shows that nudify apps not only serve for sexual gratification but also aim to inflict character assassination and ruin lives.

Kathmandu, 16 July – With the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI), the threat of nudify apps that produce explicit images and videos without consent has significantly increased on the internet. According to a recent report by the Institute for Strategic Dialogue (ISD), these objectionable apps are spreading not just within the internet’s dark web but also accessibly through popular social media platforms we use daily, such as YouTube and X (formerly Twitter). The study indicates that within the brief timeframe from December 2025 to March 2026 alone, different social networks directed over 5.7 million visits to such websites, making these platforms major conduits for promoting nudify apps.

YouTube emerged as the largest source directing users to nudify websites, accounting for more than 30 percent of total traffic—approximately 1.82 million visits. Similarly, X, owned by Elon Musk, ranked as the second-largest medium, contributing over 1.3 million visits to these sites. Researchers noted that by simply searching related terms on YouTube, one can easily find videos that advertise, review, or even provide free “promo codes” for these apps.

Another report by Wired estimates that, because these apps leverage AI to generate nude images for as little as one dollar, the industry could be generating up to $36 million annually from these platforms. The research further reveals that these apps frequently target girlfriends or female relatives, pursuing malicious goals beyond mere sexual gratification, including destroying reputations, forcing job loss, and ruining lives.

While social networks have rules banning obscene content and links to such websites on their platforms, ISD senior director of Policy and Research, Melanie Smith, points out that these policies have not been effectively enforced. Responding to this issue, YouTube spokesperson Boot Bulwinkle asserted that the platform maintains strict policies to block such objectionable content and external links and promptly removes any videos found violating these standards.