An advertisement by an AI video maker that allows women to digitally alter and expose their bodies without their consent has been banned on the grounds that it would constitute a serious crime.
A YouTube ad for PixVideo – AI Video Maker released in January showed “before” and “after” images of a young woman, the former with red graffiti on her abdomen and the latter showing bare skin, including under her shorts.
The following text appeared at the bottom of the image: [heart-eyes emoji]”
Eight people complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), saying the ad sexually objectified women, was irresponsible, offensive and harmful.
Saeta Tech Ltd, trading as PixVideo – AI Video Maker, said it understood why the ad was considered likely to give rise to serious crime, but said its concerns related to the presentation and message of the ad, rather than the intended or permitted use of the product.
The terms prohibit the creation of nudity or sexually explicit content, and the company said it has automated AI-based detection and blocking to prevent nudity and explicit images from being produced.
The company also said that the app does not support or be designed to allow for the removal of clothing or the creation of nude images.
The company said it had already removed the ads and voluntarily suspended all advertising to conduct a “comprehensive” internal audit and remediate its marketing.
The ASA said it understands the app does not allow users to create nudity or sexually explicit content, but it still believes the ad reduces women to sexual objects.
It added: “Furthermore, because the ad implied that viewers could use the app to remove women’s clothing, we considered it acceptable to digitally alter and expose women’s bodies without their consent.”
“We welcomed Saeta Tex’s willingness to remove the ad. However, for the reasons set out above, we considered it irresponsible, contained harmful gender stereotypes, and was likely to give rise to serious crime.”
The ASA ruled that the ad must not be run again, adding: “We told PixVideo – AI Video Maker to ensure that its ads are socially responsible and do not commit serious or widespread offenses, including objectifying women and playing up harmful gender stereotypes by sexualizing them.”
