'We were all Deepfaked' - five women speak out on being targeted by AI image abuse

EXCLUSIVE: Five women, who've all been targeted online by so-called "Deepfakes" are coming together for our new podcast to share their stories and highlight the impact AI images can have on victims.

Cases of deepfake images being reported to police rose by close to 2000% between 2019 and 2024, but the boom in AI technology has seen that skyrocket even further in the last couple of years.

Love Island contestant-turned activist Cally-Jane Beech won't ever forget the day she discovered it had happened to her

Speaking on the Deepfaked podcast on Rayo, she said: "Someone messaged me and said 'There's a picture of you on the internet and you're fully nude' and I was like 'No, no, no, that can't be correct, I've never taken a picture like that.'"

But she's not alone - people using AI technology on social media sites and via smartphone applications have been able to create images at will.

For the first time, we're sitting down with victims to hear how it happened to them, the impact it had on their lives and what tech firms and the police did in response.

You can listen to our podcast now, just search Deepfaked on the Rayo app or listen below:

Taking part are women from a range of backgrounds, from Love Island to the House of Commons, all united by the fact they've all been Deepfaked.

Cally-Jane Beech

In this Rayo Exclusive for Hits Radio 00s Cally-Jane tells the group how photos from an underwear modelling photoshoot were manipulated to make her look naked.

After sharing her story she was deluged with messages online about how it was happening to other people - including teenage girls

Narinder Kaur

Former Big-Brother contestant turned broadcaster Narinder is regular targeted by AI videos on social media.

Videos purporting to show her with Donald Trump and Jeffrey Epstein have been shared widely - something she believes is being done deliberately to try and stop her speaking about political issues in the media

Jess Asato MP

Lowestoft MP Jess Asato was targeted by Deepfake creators when she started speaking out about the threat of AI images created on social media platforms like Grok.

She's received rape-threat videos and videos based on misogynistic views of the roles of women.

Helen Mort

Author, Poet and University lecturer Helen Mort was told by a friend back in 2021 that she'd been the focus of sexualised deepfake images, including nudity and violence.

She still does not know who created them, but shares a powerful poem she wrote about her experience as part of our panel discussion

Jasmine Oak

Journalist Jasmine is part of the Hits Radio 00s news team, and speaks about her experience of being targeted in TikTok comments - then trying to reason with the people who created them.

She chairs the discussion, recorded in May 2026.

Are deepfakes legal?

It’s illegal to share or threaten to share intimate photos or videos of someone without their permission and this includes deepfake images.

In February this year, the act of creating sexually explicit deepfakes without consent was made illegal. The law now recognises creating, sharing and threatening to share these types of images as a criminal offence.

It is punishable through unlimited fines, a criminal record, or time behind bars.

Tech platforms are also responsible for removing any illegal deepfake content or intimate images shared without consent, and under new rules, have to do so within 48 hours.

A ban on ‘nudification’ tools is also underway, that would be criminalising those who design and supply these sorts of apps and sites.

Response from the social media companies

We contacted Tiktok, Meta and X to ask them about the issues raised in this article and the Deepfaked podcast.

Tiktok came back to us to say they prohibit harmful AI generated content.

They also told us more than 98% of videos in violation of their policies are removed before being reported.

Deepfaked - discussion points

Each of our guests share their stories of being deepfaked - how they first responded, how friends and colleagues reacted, and how police and tech firms dealt with their cases.

Each story is different - but themes develop throughout about misogyny, sexual abuse, trying to get power over someone, and victim shaming.

They also discuss the role wider society needs to play, and if a new role of Online Safety Commissioner would make it easier for victims to understand what they can do if it happens to them.

If you, or someone you know, has been deepfaked

If you've been impacted by Deepfakes or online image abuse, you can get support and advice from:

The Cyber Helpline who offer advice to victims of online harm

The Revenge Porn Helpline supports all adult victims of intimate image abuse in the UK.

And the Police have advice about the next steps you can take if you've been a victim.

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