Deepfake Abuse Targets Women in European Politics at Alarming Scale

When Deepfakes Cross the Line into Political Harassment

Over the past several years, a disturbing trend has emerged in Europe—one that combines the power of artificial intelligence with the vulnerability of political figures. New research indicates that nearly 150 female members of parliament (MPs) from 22 European Union countries have appeared on harmful deepfake pornography websites. The data, compiled by researcher Benjamin Shultz and published by the German digital democracy think tank Agora Digitale Transformation, underscores a deeply concerning reality: women in politics are disproportionately targeted through these digital assaults.

"Deepfake porn is part of a much bigger trend of online hate and intimidation against women and female politicians," said Suzanne Kröger, a Dutch member of parliament. "We are politicians, we have a platform and speak out. But meanwhile, there are millions of women victims of these criminal acts."

The study analyzed around 160 domains hosting deepfake abuse and other nonconsensual sexual content, finding that at least 138 women MPs had been featured—while only nine male MPs were referenced. The gender disparity is striking: a woman MP is 33 times more likely to be targeted by these deepfake ecosystems.

Why Women Are the Primary Targets

This isn't just about technology—it's about power, control, and the normalization of violence against women in public life. The targeting of female politicians through deepfakes is not a new phenomenon, but it's becoming more prevalent and more damaging. The sites often feature detailed profiles of MPs, sometimes including official photos, biographies, and even social media links—often accompanied by explicit or degrading content.

Some platforms even act as gateways to tools that allow users to generate their own deepfakes using the same images. "It has all the images, all the information, and a direct link to the tool, and in three clicks you can generate," Shultz explained. "That's just as bad as actually hosting the content."

This isn't just about revenge or spectacle—it's a calculated effort to undermine female representation in politics, potentially deterring future generations of women from entering public office. As Shultz noted, these deepfake campaigns can do real psychological damage and reputational harm, especially for those who might want to transition into other careers post-politics.

The Scope of the Problem

While this research focuses on national MPs across all 27 EU countries, it also identifies specific patterns. Politicians from Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, and France were most commonly featured on these platforms. Interestingly, seniority played a role: the higher-ranking a politician was, the more likely they were to be targeted.

Shultz's investigation revealed not only active hosting of content but also indexed results—content that had been removed—and profiles or "gateways" designed to generate new material. The sites often include sections rating the physical attributes of these women, a clear sign of dehumanization and sexualization. These aren't just random acts—they're structured, organized campaigns.

Across all these platforms, there's a chilling effect on political participation. When women see that their likenesses can be weaponized in such a way, it becomes harder to advocate for change or even consider running for office. "This discourages women from taking office in the first place and also crowds these women out of public life," Shultz said.

Global Trends and Legal Responses

Deepfake technology has become increasingly accessible over the last few years, with AI tools growing more realistic and user-friendly. The consequences, however, have been devastating for many victims—particularly women and girls who are often targeted in schools and workplaces. In the U.S., a number of major deepfake websites have been taken down following legal action and investigative reporting.

While the European Union and the UK have begun introducing legislation to curb these practices, enforcement remains inconsistent. In some cases, law enforcement agencies are struggling to keep up with the volume and technical complexity of the platforms involved. "The whole infrastructure is set up to do this at scale with ease," noted Henry Ajder, an AI adviser who has tracked deepfake ecosystems since 2018.

Despite this, there have been victories. WIRED's investigation found that at least half a dozen domains identified in Shultz's research had already been taken offline before the publication of this article. This suggests that with enough pressure and public awareness, action can be taken to reduce the spread of these harmful platforms.

What Lies Ahead

The emergence of deepfake abuse targeting female politicians is not just a technical issue—it's a societal one. It reflects broader systemic challenges around gender equality, digital rights, and the regulation of emerging technologies. As AI continues to evolve, so too must our approaches to safeguarding the integrity of public discourse.

What's clear is that we need stronger legal frameworks, more effective enforcement mechanisms, and greater accountability from tech platforms. More importantly, we must address the cultural attitudes that enable this kind of harassment. The fight against deepfake abuse is ultimately a fight for women's dignity and political participation in an increasingly digital world.

As we continue to monitor developments, I believe it's crucial that governments, civil society organizations, and technology companies work together to build systems that protect rather than exploit. The stakes are too high for anything less.