A series of social media adverts for AI apps have been banned by a UK watchdog for promoting "the creation of sexually explicit content and objectification of women".
One of the ads used sexualised images of a girl under 18 to promote an AI companion app - while others invited users to upload images of their "crush" and turn images into "sizzling" videos.
The ASA also said many of the ads it banned had promoted the creation of sexually explicit content using real women's images without their consent.
One ad for an AI companion generator, developed by Animcha Ltd, was also found to have portrayed someone under 18 in a sexual way, the ASA said.
The firm has also before said, external that between November 2025 and January 2026, it removed over 344,000 ads for nudifying apps across Facebook and Instagram.
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The Advertising Standards Authority said five ads uploaded to Meta platforms for AI companion and video generating apps had objectified and sexualised women, including through harmful gender stereotypes.
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A series of social media adverts for AI apps have been banned by a UK watchdog for promoting "the creation of sexually explicit content and objectification of women".
The Advertising Standards Authority said five ads uploaded to Meta platforms for AI companion and video generating apps had objectified and sexualised women, including through harmful gender stereotypes.
One of the ads used sexualised images of a girl under 18 to promote an AI companion app - while others invited users to upload images of their "crush" and turn images into "sizzling" videos.
Meta had already removed the offending ads.
The ASA also said many of the ads it banned had promoted the creation of sexually explicit content using real women's images without their consent.
The ASA said the law had changed during its investigations and that ads identified in future would be considered in light of both the law and its own rules.
Where ads are identified as illegal, it said it may tell platforms and law enforcement.
The ads were identified by the regulator using its AI-powered "Active Ad Monitoring System", which proactively searches for ads which might violate UK rules.
One ad for an AI companion generator, developed by Animcha Ltd, was also found to have portrayed someone under 18 in a sexual way, the ASA said.
Ad for AI editing app which said it could 'remove anything' banned.
The firm has also before said, external that between November 2025 and January 2026, it removed over 344,000 ads for nudifying apps across Facebook and Instagram.
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