Teen Warrior Obliterates Toxic Nudify Apps with Epic Legal Smackdown

An artist's illustration of artificial intelligence (AI). This image explores multimodal models. It was created by Twistedpoly as part of the Visualising AI project launched by Google DeepMind.

In a jaw-dropping display of teenage resilience, Francesca Mani just flipped the script on toxic tech bullies who thought they could get away with digital harassment.

At just 14 years old, Mani experienced firsthand the nightmare of nudify apps when boys at her New Jersey high school targeted her and other girls with AI-generated fake nude images. When adults told her to simply “move on,” she decided to fight back – and boy, did she deliver a knockout punch.

From Victim to Victorious

Refusing to be silenced, Mani took her fight directly to New Jersey lawmakers, demanding serious consequences for digital predators. Her relentless advocacy has now resulted in groundbreaking legislation that could send deepfake creators to prison and impose massive fines up to $30,000.

Breaking the Silence

The new law doesn’t just punish perpetrators – it sends a crystal-clear message that digital sexual harassment will not be tolerated. Victims can now sue for $1,000 per harmful image, and schools are legally required to take these violations seriously.

A Blueprint for Change

Mani isn’t stopping at legislation. Working with Encode Justice, she’s pushing for comprehensive school policies that protect students from AI-powered harassment. Her message is clear: doing nothing is no longer an acceptable response.

This isn’t just a legal victory – it’s a generational shift in how we understand and combat digital violence. Mani has transformed her personal trauma into a powerful catalyst for systemic change, proving that when young people speak up, they can absolutely transform the world.

AUTHOR: kg

SOURCE: Ars Technica