The Report Remove service, a platform dedicated to blocking intimate images from the internet, has issued a warning regarding a sharp rise in explicit deepfake content involving minors. According to data released by the service, there were 420 reports from children in the first six months of 2024 alone concerning images of themselves that had been digitally altered or manipulated to appear explicit. This figure has already surpassed the total number of such reports received in previous periods, signaling a concerning trend in online safety.

The watchdog attributes this surge primarily to the increased availability of artificial intelligence and 'nudification' software, which allow users to generate realistic, non-consensual sexual imagery with minimal technical expertise. These tools have lowered the barrier to entry for creating harmful content, making it easier for individuals to target children. While the reports focus on the digital manipulation of likenesses, the service emphasizes that these images are being used to harass and exploit minors online. The data highlights a growing gap in digital protection, as the speed at which these images can be generated and shared often outpaces current moderation and removal efforts. As AI technology continues to evolve, safety advocates are calling for more robust measures to prevent the creation of such content at the source, rather than relying solely on post-publication removal.