Jess Asato says AI-manipulated image left her feeling violated as government moves to ban nudification tools

Jess Asato a Suffolk MP has spoken out after discovering that an image of her had been digitally manipulated using artificial intelligence to make it appear as though she was wearing a bikini, describing the experience as violating and deeply distressing.

Jess Asato, Labour MP for Lowestoft, said she was targeted with the altered image on social media, where it attracted thousands of comments, including replies containing further manipulated images of her.

Speaking on Sunday, Ms Asato said the incident highlighted a growing and disturbing trend in which women are subjected to non-consensual, sexualised AI imagery, often circulated widely online with little regard for the harm caused.

“It’s really difficult,” she told BBC Radio Suffolk. “Even though I know it’s fake, it looks like me. Viscerally, it feels very real.”

‘It’s about choice and consent’

Ms Jess Asato explained that while the image did not depict nudity, it crossed a personal boundary and stripped her of control over her own image.

“I would never, ever put a picture of me wearing a bikini publicly,” she said. “I don’t even wear one on the beach. It’s about choice and it’s about consent.”

She added that victims of such abuse often feel dehumanised, regardless of whether the images are real.

“The people who are doing this want to remove women’s choice and consent over their own image,” she said.

The BBC has seen examples of the manipulated images shared in replies to Ms Jess Asato’s post on X, where she publicly addressed the incident and condemned the misuse of AI technology.

It is not yet clear whether the images were created using Grok, the AI chatbot developed by X, which is currently under investigation by UK media regulator Ofcom for its image-generation features.

Platform response

A spokesperson for X said the platform had taken action after the images were reported.

“We are removing the content, permanently suspending accounts involved, and working with local governments and law enforcement,” the spokesperson said.

However, campaigners argue that enforcement often comes after harm has already been done, with images spreading rapidly before platforms intervene.

Government condemnation and legal action

UK Technology Secretary Liz Kendall strongly condemned the manipulation of images using AI, calling it “despicable”.

“Sexually manipulating images of women and children is despicable,” she said. “We are banning these tools.”

Ms Kendall confirmed that the government will outlaw so-called nudification apps under the forthcoming Crime and Policing Bill, which will criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent.

“We are bringing into force powers to criminalise the creation of intimate images without consent,” she said. “I expect all platforms to abide by Ofcom’s Violence Against Women and Girls guidance.”

She warned that further action would follow if tech companies fail to comply.

“No excuses. We are as determined to ensure women and girls are safe online as we are to ensure they are safe in the real world,” Ms Kendall added.

A growing problem for women online

Ms Jess Asato’s experience mirrors reports from other women who say they have found sexualised AI images of themselves circulating online, often created using a single publicly available photograph.

Advocates say the technology disproportionately targets women and girls, reinforcing harassment, intimidation and abuse in digital spaces.

Ms Jess Asato said she hoped the government would accelerate its plans to regulate AI tools more strictly.

“This is not just about politicians,” she said. “It’s happening to ordinary women every day, and many of them don’t have a platform to speak out.”

Wider regulatory scrutiny

The incident comes as Ofcom investigates whether X has failed to prevent the spread of illegal and harmful AI-generated content, including non-consensual intimate images and sexualised imagery involving children.

Under UK law, platforms that breach online safety rules could face heavy fines or restrictions, including possible blocking orders in extreme cases.

For Ms Jess Asato, the issue is ultimately about dignity and accountability.

“Even when something is fake,” she said, “the harm is very real.”

Also read: Grok AI Backlash: Government Accused of Delaying Deepfake Law

Also read: Ofcom probes Elon Musk’s X over alleged misuse of AI tool Grok to create sexualised images