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Technology·Human Rights

One in seven adults worldwide have experienced sextortion, study finds

Thursday, 18 June 2026, 06:41 · 1 min read

A new survey of more than 16,000 people across ten countries has found that 14.5% of adults have been victims of sextortion — the practice of threatening to share intimate images to extort money or compliance — while nearly 5% admitted to being perpetrators. The research found LGBTQIA+ individuals, men, and younger adults were disproportionately affected, and noted that the most common perpetrator was a current or former intimate partner rather than an unknown criminal. Researchers warn that AI tools, including so-called "nudify" software and deepfake generators, are lowering the barrier for offenders and enabling them to target more victims simultaneously, prompting calls for stronger platform safety measures, public education, and coordinated legal responses.

Sources
The ConversationNew study shows 1 in 7 people have been victims of sextortion – and AI is making it worse ↗︎
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