Ban on stripping apps in the EU, oversight in the Netherlands is lacking

As of December 2, 2026, it will be prohibited to use AI stripping apps in the European Union that generate fake nude photos based on regular selfies. This ban is a response to the explosive increase in reports of cyberbullying involving such images. In the first nine months of 2026, the number of reports to the Offlimits helpline increased by 955, with over 17% of these involving manipulated images. Despite these concerns, it remains unclear how oversight will be maintained in the Netherlands, as the Data Protection Authority (AP) cannot intervene yet.

The improvement of the AI legislation that made this ban possible was approved by the European Parliament in June 2026. The ban covers not only the applications themselves but also their use. This means that users of such apps are also risk-free, which increases the scope and impact of the issue. Member of the European Parliament Kim van Sparrentak calls the ban a significant step forward. However, oversight of other AI applications is also being postponed, which could undermine the effectiveness of the ban.

In the Netherlands, there has already been legal progress: the Amsterdam court banned the stripping feature of Grok, the chatbot from Elon Musk's xAI, in March 2026 due to a violation of the GDPR privacy law. The AP and other involved parties had previously called for a total ban to be put in place, which is now achieved. Still, the question of who will carry out the oversight remains problematic. The AP has already set up a department for the submission and coordination of AI but must wait for the implementation act of the AI regulation to come into effect before it can intervene.

For victims, there is no time to lose. There are various ways to mitigate risks. It is important for parents to openly discuss online experiences with their children to ensure a safe line of communication. The helpline of Offlimits offers free and anonymous support to victims of cyberbullying. If there is a case of a fake nude image, reporting to the police may be considered, as this can be regarded as a criminal offense.

Read the full article from AI Insider.