Across India, a growing number of women are stepping back from social media because of the fear that their photos could be twisted and misused through AI-powered deepfake apps.
A new report by the Rati Foundation and Tattle highlights how frequently these concerns are now appearing on abuse helplines, with many cases involving AI-generated “nudified” or sexually manipulated images created without consent. Even women who simply post regular photos , including law graduates, researchers, and working professionals , are becoming increasingly hesitant to stay active online, worried that their pictures could be edited and used for harassment or blackmail.
The report also notes that while women can report such abuse, the current system is slow: platforms often delay takedowns, responses are inconsistent, and legal solutions are still catching up to the speed of technology. As a result, something that once empowered women , the ability to express themselves online , is now becoming a hostile space, forcing many to withdraw and silencing voices that once brought diversity and openness to the digital world.