Report Alleges Meta Advertising Partner Helped Spread Thousands of AI “Nudify” Ads
A new report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) alleges that thousands of advertisements promoting AI-powered “nudify” applications appeared on Facebook and Instagram, many of them traced to GatherOne, one of Meta’s approved Chinese advertising partners.
The findings have renewed concerns over Meta’s advertising oversight, particularly as the company continues expanding its artificial intelligence initiatives while attempting to curb harmful AI-generated content.
What Are “Nudify” Apps?
“Nudify” apps use artificial intelligence to digitally remove clothing from photographs, generating fake nude images or videos without a person’s consent.
According to the report, these services primarily target images of women and, in some cases, children. One advertised app reportedly received Google Play reviews warning that it could facilitate illegal child sexual abuse material.
Many of the advertisements themselves allegedly featured sexually explicit or suggestive imagery.
Report Says Ads Violated Meta’s Own Policies
TTP says the advertisements violated several of Meta’s existing policies.
Meta’s Community Standards prohibit the promotion of non-consensual intimate imagery and nudify applications, while its advertising rules ban:
- Nudity
- Sexually explicit or suggestive content
- Ads depicting sexual acts or explicit poses
The report also claims that many of the ads originated from fake accounts, potentially violating Meta’s policies against using deceptive or inauthentic identities for advertising.
Meta Says It Is Removing the Content
Meta says it has been actively combating nudify apps across its platforms.
According to the company, its enforcement efforts include:
- Blocking links to websites hosting nudify services
- Restricting related search terms
- Removing more than 340,000 violating advertisements
- Taking legal action against certain companies promoting the apps
Meta also shares information about abusive content through Lantern, an industry initiative that helps technology companies identify child sexual abuse material and related illegal content.
GatherOne Responds
Following publication of the report, GatherOne said it had suspended new advertising account applications related to:
- AI nudify services
- AI face-swap tools
- AI “girlfriend” applications
The company also stated that it is conducting a broader compliance review to address evolving AI-generated media technologies.
Despite Meta removing many of the identified advertisements, TTP says GatherOne continues to advertise on the platform. The report suggests the agency’s large advertising volume—reportedly exceeding 30,000 ads per month—may complicate moderation efforts.
China Remains an Important Advertising Market
Although Facebook and Instagram are unavailable in mainland China, Chinese businesses can advertise on Meta’s platforms through approved third-party agencies such as GatherOne.
Meta reported generating approximately $18.35 billion in revenue from China during 2024, accounting for roughly 11% of its global revenue.
Previous reporting has also suggested that a portion of this revenue came from advertisers promoting content that violated Meta’s own policies.
Meta Continues Crackdown on AI Abuse
Meta has previously announced legal action against companies promoting AI nudify applications.
The company says it is developing improved detection systems capable of identifying these advertisements before or shortly after they appear and has warned that advertisers who violate its policies may face:
- Advertisement removal
- Financial penalties
- Permanent account suspension
The latest report, however, raises questions about whether Meta’s current review systems are keeping pace with the growing volume of AI-generated content and advertisements attempting to bypass platform rules.
