Australia has announced plans to introduce tough new measures targeting the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to create sexualized deepfakes and enable online stalking. The move comes amid growing concerns about the rapid spread of “nudify” apps, which digitally strip clothing or generate non-consensual explicit imagery.
Communications Minister Anika Wells on Tuesday condemned such technologies, stressing that they are designed “solely to abuse, humiliate and harm people, especially our children.” The government, she said, will work closely with industry players to draft legislation aimed at blocking access to these apps and holding tech giants accountable for preventing their misuse.
While Wells did not provide a specific timeline for the legislation, she pledged to use “every lever” available to curb online stalking tools and AI-driven nudification. She acknowledged that the measures would not eliminate online abuse overnight but insisted they would build on Australia’s existing “world-leading online safety reforms.”
The proliferation of deepfake technologies has already led to troubling consequences worldwide, particularly for children and teenagers. Recent scandals in schools and universities have seen students creating sexualized images of their classmates, while a Save the Children survey revealed that one in five young people in Spain have been victims of deepfake nudes, with those images often shared without consent.
Australia has positioned itself as a global leader in online safety regulation. In November, the country passed some of the strictest laws in the world restricting under-16s from accessing social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, and X. Companies that fail to comply with the ban face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million).
Despite criticism from tech firms, who argue that the laws are “vague” and “problematic,” the government is pressing ahead. An independent study commissioned this week found that age verification could be implemented “privately, efficiently and effectively,” though it cautioned that no single solution fits all contexts.
With deepfake abuse and online stalking on the rise, Australia’s latest initiative underscores its determination to shield children and vulnerable groups from emerging digital threats.
