TikTok has banned 20 accounts following a BBC investigation into AI-generated black female avatars used to promote sexually explicit content. The accounts featured hypersexualized, artificially darkened digital personas, many with racially charged names and language.
One account stole videos from Malaysian model Riya Ulan, superimposing an AI-generated face onto her body. The manipulated content garnered millions of views before TikTok took action.
The avatars, often labeled with terms like "ebony" and "noir," promoted links to paid adult sites without disclosing their AI origin-violating platform policies.
Researchers Jeremy Carrasco and Angel Nulani from Riddance identified 60 such accounts across Instagram and TikTok, criticizing the trend as racist and exploitative.
Content creator Houda Fonone warned the trend erases real Black women’s experiences, replacing them with artificial, fetishized images.
TikTok confirmed it bans non-consensual AI content and prohibits off-platform sexual solicitation. Meta said it was investigating but has since removed several flagged Instagram accounts.