Nearly 150 female politicians across Europe have been found listed or depicted on websites featuring sexual deepfakes, according to research reported by WIRED. It covers 22 European Union (EU) countries and highlights the use of artificial intelligence (AI) to create or spread explicit content involving women in public life.
The research identified at least 138 female politicians connected to these websites. Such content can use AI to create fake sexual images or alter real photographs to make them appear explicit. These images can be shared online without the person’s consent.
This raises concerns about online abuse, privacy and the safety of women in politics. They also highlight the challenges of removing non-consensual deepfakes from websites and preventing them from spreading.
Research Finds Female Politicians Across 22 EU Countries
The research identified at least 138 female politicians listed or depicted on sexual deepfake websites across 22 European Union (EU) member states. This suggests that this form of online abuse affects women in public office across several European countries.
Among the politicians publicly identified in reports about the issue are Dutch MPs Suzanne Kröger and Sarah Dobbe. Their cases highlight concerns about the use of politicians’ names, photographs and likenesses on websites featuring explicit content. However, the public findings do not provide a complete list of all the politicians identified in the research.
Sexual deepfakes use AI tools to create or manipulate images and videos with explicit content. In many cases, these tools can place a real person’s face onto a different body or alter existing images. The resulting content may look convincing, even when the person has never taken part in the activity shown.
The presence of politicians on these sites does not necessarily mean that every person identified was depicted in an AI-generated image. Some may have been listed or referenced on the websites. The exact circumstances can differ from one case to another.
However, this shows how websites featuring sexual deepfakes can target women who hold public positions. The content can also reach large audiences, creating additional concerns for the people involved.
European Politicians Targeted by Deepfake Websites
Research by Agora Digitale Transformation found that female politicians across Europe appeared on explicit deepfake websites. Data captured in July 2026 showed differences in the number of members of parliament (MPs) identified in each country.
Germany had the highest number of MPs identified on explicit deepfake websites, with 28, followed by the Netherlands with 22, Italy with 18 and France with 17. Poland recorded 12 MPs, while Finland had nine. Denmark, Sweden, Greece and Belgium recorded seven, six, five and five MPs, respectively.
| Countries | MPs Targeted |
| Germany | 28 |
| Netherlands | 22 |
| Italy | 18 |
| France | 17 |
| Poland | 12 |
| Finland | 9 |
| Denmark | 7 |
| Sweden | 6 |
| Greece | 5 |
| Belgium | 5 |
How Sexual Deepfakes Can Affect Women in Politics
Sexual deepfakes can damage a person’s reputation and expose them to unwanted attention. Even when an image is fake, viewers may believe it is real or share it without checking its authenticity.
For female politicians, this can create additional pressure in their professional and public lives. They may have to respond to false claims, report abusive content or seek legal help to protect their privacy.
The effects can extend beyond the individuals shown in the images. The spread of sexual deepfakes may also discourage women from participating in political discussions or pursuing public office if they fear similar abuse.
However, the impact can vary. Not every targeted person will experience the same consequences, and the research findings alone do not establish the effect on each politician.
Why AI-Generated Sexual Images Are Difficult to Control
AI tools have made it easier to create realistic images with limited technical knowledge. Some tools can alter photographs or generate explicit images from existing pictures. This can allow people to produce misleading content without the consent of the person depicted.
Removing such material can also be difficult. An image may appear on several websites or be reposted across social media platforms. Even after the original content is removed, copies may continue to circulate.
Identifying the person who created or uploaded an image can present further challenges. Websites may operate across national borders, while the people responsible may use anonymous accounts or other methods to hide their identities. These issues can complicate efforts by victims, platforms and authorities to respond to sexual deepfakes.
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European Countries Face Questions Over Deepfake Protections
The findings add to wider concerns about how European countries should respond to non-consensual sexual content created or altered using AI.
Possible responses include clearer rules on AI-generated intimate images, faster reporting and removal systems, and stronger support for victims. Law enforcement agencies may also need ways to investigate cases where the people responsible operate across borders.
Technology companies face questions about how they detect and restrict explicit content that uses a real person’s likeness without permission. However, effective enforcement can depend on the laws that apply, the location of the website and the evidence available in each case.
The research does not, by itself, establish that all the websites or images identified broke a particular law. Legal responsibility depends on the circumstances and the rules that apply in each country.
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How Sexual Deepfakes Are Raising New Regulatory Concerns
The identification of at least 138 female politicians across 22 EU countries highlights the scale of the issue uncovered by the research. It also shows why discussions about AI safety increasingly include the misuse of image-generation tools.
The challenge extends beyond whether AI can produce realistic images. It also involves consent, the distribution of explicit material and the ability of affected people to seek help.
For policymakers, the findings may add to calls for stronger protections against non-consensual sexual deepfakes. For technology companies, they underline the need to consider how their tools could be misused and what safeguards may reduce that risk.
The research offers evidence of a problem affecting women in public life. Further details about the individual cases, the websites involved and the responses from authorities would help clarify the full extent of the issue.