Nudification Apps

Written by Jane Straub, Training Director

A new Minnesota law (effective Aug 1, 2026) aims to protect children and adults from “nudification” technology. A nudification app (sometimes called an “undressing app”) is software that uses AI to create fake nude or partially nude images from regular clothed photos.

These apps do not actually remove clothing from a real photograph. Instead, AI analyzes the image, guesses what a body might look like underneath clothing, and generates a fabricated image. The result is synthetic—not real—but it looks convincing.

It is important to recognize that laws addressing nonconsensual sexual images apply to children, adolescents, and adults. Any sexual image created or shared without consent may be unlawful. When the person depicted is under 18, those images are legally classified as child sexual abuse material (CSAM), including AI-generated or manipulated images in many jurisdictions, and their creation, possession, or distribution is illegal.

These apps are widely criticized because they are often used without permission, for humiliation or harassment, against classmates or partners, or to create fake sexual images of minors (CSAM).

Why These Technologies Matter for Youth:

Teens can create harmful fake images quickly, victims often experience severe emotional distress, fake images can spread rapidly online, and many adolescents do not fully understand the legal or psychological consequences. Research shows victims may experience anxiety, depression, humiliation, social isolation, and reputational harm.

CornerHouse understands and recognizes the concerns many adults have about protecting children and youth from exploitation and abuse. To support these efforts, we offer two specialized trainings:

Recognizing and Protecting Youth from On-Line Exploitation:

This is designed for parents, caregivers, educators, and youth-serving organizations to help them better understand current risks and strategies for prevention and safety.

The Era of Digital Danger:

This training is intended for professionals who may investigate crimes involving child sexual abuse material (CSAM) and exploitation.

Please contact our Training Department for more information:

Jane Straub: jane@cornerhousemn.org