AI, deepfakes and online attacks on activists

For 15 years, The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation has monitored the security of and space for women’s and queer rights activists in countries affected by conflict, violence and fragility. The state of women human rights defenders 2026 report is based on 795 responses from 81 countries and territories.

The report documents online and offline harassment directed at activists, including threats linked to new and emerging digital technologies.

Digital technologies used to attack activists

The UN Human Rights Council has adopted a resolution addressing the risks posed by new and emerging digital technologies. The resolution highlights how these technologies can be used to target activists online through smear campaigns, hate speech, disinformation, harmful propaganda and doxxing.[1]

A respondent from South Asia described how personal content is circulated without consent:

“Photos and videos are uploaded on social media without our consent, including our personal details. This puts us in danger.”

Online attacks often mirror and amplify offline abuse.

The report shows that many women human rights defenders have stopped using social media and shifted to offline strategies instead.

Respondents from Syria described how posting content perceived as criticism of the government often results in their inboxes being flooded with sexual threats.

Brenda from Uganda described how online smear campaigns affect family life:

“They share your photos and attack your children and husband in smear campaigns. Then your husband asks you to stop your work.”

While online harassment has taken many forms, respondents also point to the growing role of artificial intelligence.

AI and fabricated content

According to respondents, AI technologies have made it easier to produce fabricated videos and images.

“There were AI videos and photos of me on TikTok doing things I’ve never done or said, and people believed them. And the people commenting were real people. That was one of the few times I was actually scared,” said activist and educator Dejana from Serbia.

Some activists fear these trends will worsen—not least as a result of the current American administration’s links with major tech companies.

Dejana described feeling a looming sense of dread during Donald Trump’s presidential inauguration:

“You could see all these tech billionaires pictured behind him, and I thought ‘OK, we are done’.”

Beyond the creation of fabricated content, activists also raised concerns about the role of major technology platforms. At the same time, funding cuts and financial restrictions affect their ability to invest in digital security tools.

Reduced moderation and weakened protections

Protection mechanisms for women’s rights and LGBTQ+ rights are under attack by right-wing populists across the world.[2]

In 2024 and 2025, tech companies Meta and X dramatically reduced their numbers of staff monitoring hate speech, factual accuracy and attacks against marginalised groups.[3]

As a result of online violence, digital security tools have become more important for women human rights and queer rights activists. However, they do not necessarily provide a stable sense of security.

Surveillance and digital insecurity

In some contexts, digital threats are closely linked to state monitoring and law enforcement.

Indian activists, for example, talked about trying to avoid deepfakes, including fabricated sexual images.[4]

“Sometimes when you post something, the police call straight away and raid your home. We’ve seen activists incarcerated on false charges. Evidence can be planted and your devices tampered with. How can you know your device is safe?”

[1] ‘Doxxing’ is the act of publicly revealing identifying information about an individual (like their address, phone number, or workplace) without their consent, usually to harass, intimidate, or harm them. United Nations Human Rights Council, Human Rights Defenders and New and Emerging Technologies: Protecting Human Rights Defenders, including Women Human Rights Defenders, in the Digital Age, UN Doc. A/HRC/RES/58/23, 4 Apr 2025.

[2] CIVICUS: State of Civil Society 2025, p42.

[3] BBC News: “Facebook and Instagram Get Rid of Fact Checkers”, 7 Jan 2025.

[4] Human Rights First: “Women Human Rights Defenders Address Digital Violence During the 16 Days of Activism”, 25 Nov 2025.