Hundreds of harmless-looking AI apps secretly hid sexual deepfake generators

Summary

WIRED reported that it uncovered some 400 apps and websites linked to Chinese-language developers. They look like regular AI tools but contained secret features that let users create violent AI-generated images and video, and its headline describes these as sexually abusive deepfake features. Digital Trends separately reported that an investigation found hundreds of AI apps secretly running explicit AI generators behind innocent-looking tools such as pet photo editors and language tutors. Both outlets describe the same hidden network of nudifying and deepfake tools concealed inside ordinary-looking AI apps.

Timeline

1. WIRED

   2 Nov 2026, 10:00 UTCSource ↗

   WIRED reports it uncovered some 400 apps and websites linked to Chinese-language developers that look like regular AI tools but had secret features letting users create violent AI-generated images and video.

2. Digital Trends

   3 Nov 2026, 01:40 UTCSource ↗

   Digital Trends reports that an investigation found hundreds of AI apps were secretly running explicit AI generators behind innocent-looking apps such as pet photo editors and language tutors.