An advertisement for the PixVideo app has been banned in the UK. The ad suggested that users could digitally remove a woman’s clothing. This raised serious concerns about objectification and sexualization of women.

The YouTube ad displayed a “before” and “after” image of a young woman. In the first image, there was red scribble over her midriff, while the second showed parts of her bare skin. The text read: “Erase anything” with a heart-eyes emoji.

Regulator’s Response

The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received eight complaints about the ad. Complainants argued it was offensive and harmful, as it seemed to condone altering women’s bodies without consent.

Although PixVideo does not allow users to create sexually explicit content, the ASA noted that viewers might have interpreted the ad differently. They stated that it reinforced harmful gender stereotypes.

Company’s Reaction

Saeta Tech, which owns PixVideo, acknowledged the offense caused by the ad. They attributed this to its presentation rather than the product’s intended use.

The company has paused all advertising while conducting an internal review. They also confirmed they have measures in place to prevent users from creating nude or sexually explicit content.

Broader Context

This incident highlights ongoing issues with AI tools that can manipulate images. Earlier this year, similar concerns arose when Elon Musk’s chatbot Grok generated sexualized images without consent.

In response to these challenges, the UK government plans to make it illegal to create AI tools that allow users to edit images inappropriately. This will build on existing laws regarding deepfakes and intimate image abuse.

Key takeaways

• The UK banned an ad for PixVideo due to concerns over objectification.
• The ASA found the ad implied women’s bodies could be altered without consent.
• Saeta Tech paused all advertising while reviewing their practices.
• The UK government is moving towards stricter regulations on AI image editing tools.

FAQs

• What did the PixVideo ad show? It showed before-and-after images suggesting clothing removal from a woman.
• Why was the ad banned? It was deemed offensive and harmful for sexualizing women without consent.
• What actions is Saeta Tech taking? They paused advertising and are reviewing their messaging and practices.

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