CANBERRA (Realist English). Australia will prohibit applications that enable stalking and the creation of non-consensual deepfake nudes, the government announced on Tuesday. According to state broadcaster ABC News, technology platforms will be required to prevent access to “nudify” apps and covert tracking tools, or face penalties.
Minister for Communications Anika Wells said the reforms aim to eliminate “abhorrent technologies” while ensuring legitimate and consent-based artificial intelligence services are not affected.
“Abusive technologies are widely and easily accessible and are causing real and irreparable damage now. These evolving tools require a proactive approach to harm prevention,” Wells said in a statement.
The measures come amid growing global concern about AI-generated sexual content. A survey by US advocacy group Thorn last year showed that 10% of young people personally knew someone who had deepfake nude images created of them, while 6% said they had been directly targeted.
Australia has already passed some of the world’s toughest digital safety laws. By the end of 2025, social media companies will be required to block accounts for under-16s, with fines of up to A$49.5m ($32m) for violations.
Wells acknowledged that the new restrictions would not “eliminate the problem in one fell swoop” but argued they would make “a real difference in protecting Australians.”
