Deepfake Statistics 2026: The Numbers Behind a Growing Crisis

The scale of deepfake intimate imagery creation and distribution has grown exponentially since the technology became consumer-accessible. Academic research and platform data provide a disturbing picture of the scope of this harm and who it affects. Understanding these numbers helps contextualize the crisis.

Scale and growth

Research published documented that 96% of all deepfake videos online are non-consensual intimate content. The volume of deepfake intimate images has grown over 500% between 2019 and 2025 as generation technology became consumer-accessible through mobile apps. Detection lags far behind generation.

Who is victimized

Approximately 90% of deepfake intimate imagery targets women. Celebrities represented early victims, but private individuals now constitute the majority. The average victim is between 18 and 35, though minors are also frequently targeted. Ex-partners, classmates, and coworkers are among the most common perpetrators identified in documented cases.

Platform distribution

Deepfake intimate content primarily distributes across adult content platforms, imageboards, social media, and Telegram channels. The top 10 hosting platforms account for approximately 80% of total deepfake intimate content volume. Content found on one platform is often re-uploaded to others without automated detection.

Impact on victims

Research documents severe psychological impacts on deepfake victims comparable to authentic NCII victims, including PTSD symptoms, anxiety, depression, and employment consequences. Many victims report that the deepfake nature of content makes them less likely to be believed and creates additional barriers to seeking help.