An advertisement for the AI video editing app PixVideo has been banned for depicting the digital removal of clothing from a woman’s body without her consent. The ad, which appeared on YouTube in January, showed a split-screen image: the first panel with red scribbles covering the woman’s midsection, and the second showing exposed skin. Accompanying text read, “Erase anything [heart-eyes emoji].”
The ad drew eight complaints to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), with critics arguing that it sexualized women, promoted irresponsible behavior, and was harmful. The ASA ruled the ad reduced the woman to a sexual object and implied that viewers could use the app to remove clothing from someone without their permission.
PixVideo’s parent company, Saeta Tech Ltd, admitted the ad was likely to cause offense but maintained that the issue lay with its presentation, not the product itself. The firm claims its terms of service prohibit nude or sexually explicit content, and that automated filters prevent such imagery from being generated. It also stated that the app was not designed to remove clothing.
Despite these defenses, the ASA determined the ad was irresponsible, reinforced a harmful gender stereotype, and was likely to cause serious offense. The firm removed the ad voluntarily and initiated an internal audit of its marketing practices.
The ASA’s ruling prohibits the ad from appearing again, with a directive to ensure future advertisements are socially responsible and avoid objectifying or sexualizing women. The incident highlights growing concerns about the misuse of AI-powered tools for non-consensual digital manipulation, especially in the context of body image and gender-based exploitation. The ban underscores the need for stricter oversight of AI-generated content to prevent harm and protect individual rights.
