A large majority of Germans support banning AI apps that can non-consensually undress or sexualize people in photos and videos. According to research conducted by the IT industry association Bitkom, 84 percent of respondents stated that such applications should be prohibited globally. Interestingly, this figure perfectly matches the percentage of people who have either heard about or read about these kinds of applications, also at 84 percent. Furthermore, over half (53 percent) reported encountering such content within a year, even outside of mainstream media coverage. Six percent were uncertain.
Concern is particularly high regarding minors and close relatives: two-thirds (66 percent) are worried that pictures of their children or other people close to them could be manipulated using such AI technology. The fear of becoming a victim is also widespread, with 43 percent fearing that their own images could be manipulated by this AI. However, there is also a degree of minimization concerning these applications, with 24 percent believing that the public outcry over these AI tools is exaggerated.
The survey, conducted by Bitkom Research, polled 1,006 individuals in Germany aged 16 and over using both telephone and online methods. The collection of data took place between the 12th and 17th weeks of 2026.
