New reporting highlights a rapidly growing and deeply troubling trend: the use of artificial intelligence tools to create realistic, nonconsensual nude images of minors and adults using ordinary photos taken from social media.
In one widely reported situation, a teenager’s image was allegedly manipulated using so-called “clothing removal” software after a classmate accessed a photo from her social media account. The resulting image, which reportedly used her real face and likeness, was shared among peers, contributing to significant emotional distress and fear that the content could continue to circulate online indefinitely.
Similar reports describe AI tools that can generate highly realistic nude images of individuals—sometimes indistinguishable from actual photographs—based solely on fully clothed images. These images have been shared across messaging platforms and social media, often without the victim’s knowledge or consent, and in some cases involving multiple students within the same school community.
A Growing Risk for Children and Families
The harm caused by AI-generated explicit images can be severe and long-lasting:
- Ongoing fear that images remain online or will resurface
- Damage to reputation, relationships, and future opportunities
- Emotional distress, anxiety, and disruption to education
- Loss of control over one’s identity and likeness
Because these images can appear real, victims are often forced to repeatedly explain that the content is fabricated—adding to the trauma.
Technology Is Outpacing Safeguards
Many of these tools are easily accessible online and can be used with minimal technical skill. Reports indicate that some platforms have been linked to the creation and sharing of nonconsensual images, raising concerns about whether sufficient safeguards are in place to prevent misuse—particularly involving minors.
At the same time, new laws are beginning to address this issue, including federal legislation requiring platforms to remove nonconsensual intimate images upon request within a short timeframe.
You May Have Legal Options
Victims of AI-generated deepfake abuse may have legal rights, even if:
- The images were created by another individual
- The content was shared privately or in group chats
- The platform or tool claims to prohibit such use
Legal claims may arise from the creation, distribution, or facilitation of nonconsensual explicit content.
Sauder Schelkopf Is Investigating
Sauder Schelkopf is investigating potential claims on behalf of individuals and families affected by:
- AI-generated deepfake nude images
- Online harassment and exploitation of minors
- Nonconsensual use of likeness and identity
We handle these matters with discretion and sensitivity.
If you or your child has been affected, contact us for a confidential consultation.
Contact Us
If you believe you or a family member has been affected by AI-generated deepfake content, please contact us for a confidential consultation.
Experience Matters
Sauder Schelkopf has a nationally recognized litigation practice. The firm currently serves as court-appointed lead counsel in courts across the country. The attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf have recovered over $1 billion on behalf of their clients and class members. Our firm was recognized by the Legal Intelligencer’s 2022 Professional Excellence Awards. The Legal Intelligencer’s Professional Excellence Awards honor Pennsylvania law firms and attorneys who have made a significant, positive impact on the legal profession. Our firm was named in the Litigation Departments of the Year (Specialty Area category; runner-up), an award that honors the best litigation practice in a small or mid-sized firm in Pennsylvania. This recognition was based on the firm’s 2021 litigation work and its important ongoing cases. LawDragon has recognized our attorneys in its list of the “500 Leading Plaintiff Consumer Lawyers” for 2022. This list notes: “From the opioid epidemic to toxic substances and defective products, truck accidents to wildfires and sexual abuse, these are the lawyers who stand on the front line in individual lawsuits and class actions seeking justice.” Mr. Schelkopf was named to Pennsylvania’s Best Lawyers® 2022 for Class Actions/Mass Tort Litigation. The American Lawyer named Mr. Sauder to its 2021 Northeast Trailblazers. The honor recognizes 60 lawyers who are “truly agents of change.” It “recognizes professionals in the Northeast who have moved the needle in the legal industry.” The Legal Intelligencer named Mr. Sauder and Mr. Schelkopf in its 2020 Pennsylvania Trailblazers list recognizing 31 lawyers who “have taken extra measures to contribute to positive outcomes . . . and who are truly agents of change.” The Legal highlighted the firm’s innovative work on advocacy as class counsel in large institutional sex abuse cover-ups, women’s, and children’s rights. Our attorneys have also consistently been recognized by their peers being named to Pennsylvania SuperLawyer, a distinction held by the top 5% of attorneys in Pennsylvania. The National Trial Lawyers Association has also selected our attorneys as the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Pennsylvania.
We Want to Hear from You
If you or a loved one has been implanted with a Boston Scientific pacemaker and experienced complications, device failure, or required early replacement surgery, you can contact the attorneys at Sauder Schelkopf by filling out the form on this page.