TL;DR
A recent report confirms that 4chan users, calling themselves ‘wizards,’ request and produce deepfake images of women without consent. This practice, linked to misogyny and abuse, spreads across private platforms and targets women’s privacy and safety.
Research confirms that a misogynistic subculture on 4chan’s /r/ board involves users requesting and producing deepfake images that depict women undressed or engaged in sexual acts without their consent. This practice, facilitated by individuals known as ‘wizards,’ contributes to online abuse and the spread of nonconsensual intimate images, with implications for victims’ privacy and safety.
Leonie Oehmig, a researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue, analyzed thousands of posts from early December 2025 through early March 2026. She found that 4chan users frequently request ‘wizards’ to create deepfake images of women based on publicly available photos or personal information, often with explicit or humiliating scenarios. These requests often include praise for the ‘wizard,’ reinforcing a hierarchy of power rooted in misogyny. The content is then shared across private platforms like Telegram and Discord, amplifying its reach. Many requests involve women close to the requesters, sometimes without their knowledge, and some are linked to personal relationships or revenge motives.
The report notes that the culture surrounding ‘wizards’ often involves hierarchical language, with users referring to themselves as ‘sir’ or ‘master,’ and creators as ‘wizards,’ a term associated with incel culture. The creation of these images is often framed as a challenge or test of skill, and the practice reflects broader issues of control and abuse in online spaces. Cases such as the circulation of deepfake images of German TV personality Collien Fernandes highlight the real-world impact of this online behavior.
Why It Matters
This development matters because it exposes the extent of misogynistic abuse facilitated through deepfake technology and anonymous online communities. The creation and dissemination of nonconsensual intimate images violate privacy, enable harassment, and can have severe psychological effects on victims. Understanding this culture is essential for developing effective policies and technical solutions to combat online abuse and protect victims’ rights.
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Background
Deepfake technology has advanced rapidly in recent years, enabling realistic but fabricated images and videos. While initially used for entertainment or satire, it has increasingly been exploited for harassment and abuse, especially targeting women. 4chan’s /r/ board has historically been a hub for adult and explicit content, but recent research reveals a darker side involving the production of nonconsensual deepfakes. The phenomenon ties into broader issues of misogyny, online anonymity, and the normalization of abuse in certain internet subcultures.
“These requests often involve explicit humiliation and degradation, and they reinforce a hierarchy of power rooted in misogyny.”
— Leonie Oehmig, researcher at the Institute for Strategic Dialogue
“The language of ‘sir’ and ‘master’ and the framing of these acts as challenges or tests reflect a disturbing hierarchy that mirrors broader issues of control and dominance.”
— Oehmig, on the culture of ‘wizards’
“The circulation of deepfake images of public figures like Collien Fernandes demonstrates how this online behavior spills into real-world harassment and privacy violations.”
— Oehmig, on real-world implications
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What Remains Unclear
It is still unclear how widespread the production of deepfake images is beyond 4chan, or how effectively law enforcement and platforms can intervene to prevent this abuse. The exact number of victims and the scope of private sharing remain difficult to quantify.
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What’s Next
Researchers and advocacy groups will likely continue monitoring these communities, and platforms may implement new policies or technical measures to detect and remove nonconsensual deepfake content. Law enforcement could also increase efforts to identify and prosecute offenders involved in creating or distributing such images.
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Key Questions
How are these deepfake images created?
They are generated using AI-powered deepfake technology, often with publicly available photos or personal information of victims, manipulated by individuals called ‘wizards’ on platforms like 4chan.
Are these images legally considered nonconsensual or illegal?
Many jurisdictions classify the creation and distribution of nonconsensual intimate images as illegal, especially when involving minors or without consent. However, enforcement varies, and online anonymity complicates prosecution.
What can victims do if they are targeted?
Victims should report the content to platform moderators and law enforcement. Technical measures like image removal tools and legal actions can also help, but prevention remains challenging.
How common is this practice outside 4chan?
While this report focuses on 4chan, similar practices have been reported on other platforms, especially those with loose moderation. The full scope is still being studied.
Source: WIRED · Culture
