Many AI-Generated Accounts Profiting From The Likeness Of Black Women Are Being Removed From…
AI-generated accounts impersonating Black women influencers were found on TikTok and Instagram, some linking to sexually explicit content, raising concerns about exploitation.
- Incident date
- May 2026
- Target
- Riya Ulan
In May 2026, numerous AI-generated accounts impersonating Black women influencers were discovered on TikTok and Instagram. These accounts, some of which linked to sexually explicit content, have since been removed from both platforms.
What happened
Researchers identified multiple accounts featuring hyper-sexualized, AI-generated Black female characters or avatars, often without disclosing that the content was AI-generated. Some accounts linked to paid, sexually explicit content on third-party websites. One specific instance involved Black model Riya Ulan, whose content was manipulated in a video posted on TikTok and Instagram. The manipulated video garnered significantly more views than her original content. Concerns were raised about the exploitation of Black women, who already face challenges such as lower pay and less exposure, and the potential for reputational damage and sexual exploitation through non-consensual image manipulation.