Deepfake Pornography Targets EU Women Politicians at Alarming Rates

• •Women politicians in the EU are 33 times more likely to be targeted by deepfake pornography than men.
• •138 women politicians from 22 EU countries have been identified on deepfake sites, with significant implications for their safety and public perception.
• •The research highlights a disturbing trend of online abuse that can deter women from participating in politics.

Research by Agora Digitale Transformation reveals that 138 women politicians from 22 EU countries have been targeted on sexually explicit deepfake websites, compared to only nine male politicians. This indicates that women are 33 times more likely to be victims of such attacks. The study highlights that one in 14 women politicians appears on these sites, while only one in 500 men does. The deepfake content includes explicit videos and 'gateway' pages with names and photos linked to AI tools for generating sexualized images. Seniority plays a role, with cabinet ministers and party leaders being more frequently targeted. The report emphasizes the broader implications of deepfake pornography as part of a growing trend of online intimidation against women. Researchers have alerted affected politicians and provided guidance for content removal. The findings were published in September 2026.