Meta Platforms Inc. is taking legal action against a Hong Kong company, Joy Timeline HK Ltd., for promoting apps that create nude images of people without their consent. This lawsuit comes as Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, seeks to address the rising issue of non-consensual sexual images generated by artificial intelligence.
The lawsuit was filed in Hong Kong and targets the advertising of CrushAI apps on Meta’s platforms. These apps allow users to generate explicit images, raising serious concerns about privacy and consent. Meta announced the lawsuit in a post on its website, highlighting the alarming increase in such content.
Meta is not just focusing on this lawsuit; it is part of a larger effort to combat the spread of non-consensual images online. These images can lead to serious problems, including sextortion and blackmail. To strengthen its fight, Meta plans to collaborate with other tech companies, sharing information about ads and accounts that promote these harmful apps.
In its announcement, Meta noted a "concerning growth" in the advertising of nudify apps across the internet. The company acknowledged that simply removing these apps from one platform is not enough, as they are widely available in various app stores. Joy Timeline has not yet responded to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.
Meta has faced criticism globally for its handling of teen safety online. In Australia, a ban on social media for users under 16 will be implemented soon, and other countries are also tightening their regulations. While Meta is tackling the issue of fake and harmful content, it is also investing more in AI technology.
According to Meta, advertisers promoting nudify apps are becoming more clever in their tactics. Some use innocent-looking images to bypass detection, while others quickly create new website domains to replace those that have been blocked. In response, Meta has developed new technology to identify these ads, even if they don’t contain explicit content.
The lawsuit against Joy Timeline reflects Meta’s commitment to creating a safer online environment, especially for young users.