The new tool of harassment is visible across Nigerian internet space, and men are wielding it with terrifying ease. When artificial intelligence entered mainstream tech culture, it came with the promise of solving complex problems like making life easier, faster, and smarter, but as we have it, AI is proving to be a tool of innovation, and also a weapon of violation in the hands of the wrong people.

The online world opens new avenue for growth and opportunities, but in the shadows of social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), and encrypted channels on the dark web, Nigerian men are using text-based AI prompts to generate hyper realistic nude images and sexually explicit videos of women, often based on nothing more than a profile photo or a stolen picture post.

These images are not just harmless digital pranks. They are deep fake pornography, and their purpose is objectify, harass, and dominate.

Tech becomes a threat

AI tools, software, and increasingly sophisticated mobile apps are now freely available online. All it takes is a picture of a woman uploaded or stolen and within minutes, AI can generate an explicit photo that looks convincingly real. This is virtual harassment. And like all harassments, it has consequence.

Unlike traditional forms of harassment, this new wave of AI-enabled sexual exploitation does not require hacking or even physical interaction. Victims often don’t know what is happening until it’s too late or until their name begins to trend for the wrong reasons.

Also Read: 4 ways to prevent harm if your nudes get out there!

And they find out there is no clear path for justice. Nigeria’s Cybercrime laws are outdatedly vague, thereby  leaving victims without legal protection and sometimes, even blamed.

The Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act of 2015 does not mention AI-generated sexual content specifically, leaving victims in legal limbo. Digital right experts have warned that as AI tools become more accessible, these forms of abuse will rise swiftly.

This is not just online drama

Some might dismiss these violation as “just online stuff”. But, what happens when online spills into real life?

Women whose faces are used in deep fake porn face public ridicule, loss of jobs, mental health issues and in some cases, suicidal thoughts. The emotional weight of being violated in a way that is both hyper-visible and invisible, is hard to explain.

And guess where the real danger is? AI is getting better by the day, making the images even more believable, and women more susceptible to harm as a result of weak digital laws.

What needs to happen now

To address the growing misuse of AI tools for sexual harassment and broader cultural issue it exposes, Nigeria must prioritise legal reform. The country’s existing cybercrime and sexual violence laws were not designed to handle the unique threats of AI generated contents.

Equally important is tech accountability. Social media platforms and AI tools developer cannot continue to claim neutrality while their technologies are being weaponised. Companies can combat these harassment by implementing stronger safeguards, including advanced content detection systems, faster take down mechanism, and swift accessible reporting channels. Because without systemic tech intervention, harmful contents will continue to circulate unchecked.

But, perhaps the most critical is the need for a cultural shift. At the heart of this issues lies a deeply rooted misogyny, the continuous belief that a woman’s body is public property to be scrutinised and consumed.

New tools will continue to emerge if this view is not challenged and changed. Combating AI fuelled harassment is not just the laws and technology, it is reshaping how society values and protects women in both digital and physical spaces.

Anita Chinedu