The phenomenon

Sextortion, online sexual extortion is on the rise. So Meta and associations try to stop it

Rising figures, victims mostly adult men, criminals exploiting artificial intelligence and social shame. Permit Denied and Meta join forces with technological tools and cultural campaigns

by Silvia Martelli

30 September 2025

5' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

5' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

"51% of those affected think of suicide as their first reaction". The words of Matteo Flora, president of the Permesso Negato association, summarise the impact of sextortion, the online sexual extortion that is growing in Italy and worldwide. It is no longer a marginal phenomenon, relegated to a few sporadic cases: it is now one of the most widespread and profitable forms of digital crime. Born from the union of the terms sex and extortion, it takes place when a criminal threatens to disseminate intimate images of a person unless he receives money or other favours. The weapon is not only technological, but psychological: shame, guilt and social isolation are exploited by blackmailers.

The numbers tell of rapid growth: according to data from Permesso Negato, the cases registered in Italy have quadrupled in four years, rising from a few dozen in 2020 to almost 400 in 2024, with a trend in 2025 that is already increasing. In 91% of cases, the victims are men, often adults with a stable economic position, considered by criminals to be 'more profitable' targets. In four years, at least 133 people paid extortion demands, totalling more than EUR 45,000, against total demands of more than EUR 390,000.

Why it works: low cost, low risk, high gain

Sextortion has characteristics that make it particularly effective for criminals. "It is a low-cost crime," explains Flora, "all it takes is a chat and a few pre-recorded images. It is low risk, because the perpetrators are often in distant countries that are difficult for our law enforcement agencies to reach. And it is high-yield, because people pay'.

With the advent of generative artificial intelligence, the phenomenon has accelerated. 'LLMs (Large Language Models) have broken down the language barrier,' Flora continues, 'conversations today are credible, edited, in perfect Italian. AI makes it possible to handle thousands of solicitations simultaneously, then passing control to the criminal when the victim is already trapped in the extortion dynamic'.

The mechanism is not limited to a quick exchange of images. "The grooming can last for weeks, with daily conversations, greetings in the morning and evening, with the creation of an emotional bond. By the time the blackmail arrives, the person is already vulnerable'.

One shame crime

One of the aspects that makes it difficult to combat sextortion is the psychological component. Flora calls it a shame crime: those affected are embarrassed to report it or ask for help, fearing that they will be judged as naive.

"The sense of guilt and helplessness is devastating," says Flora. "The consequences are similar to a post-traumatic disorder: constant hypervigilance, chronic distrust, social isolation. That is why in our association we also offer psychological first aid, with professional psychologists available very quickly'.

According to an Australian study cited by Flora, more than half of those affected think of suicide as their first reaction. A figure that explains the need for immediate and targeted intervention.

Meta: technology and prevention

For more than ten years, Meta - the company that controls Facebook, Instagram, Messenger and Threads - has been a leader in combating the dissemination of non-consensual intimate images (NCII). In fact, it was the first to introduce image recognition systems to identify and remove sensitive content.

'We have three levels of intervention,' explains Laura Bononcini, Meta's Head of Institutional Affairs for Southern Europe and Israel, 'limiting user exposure, removing content and introducing prevention features.

Between April and June 2025, Meta removed 9.6 million pieces of content with nudity or adult sex acts: 96.4 per cent were proactively detected by artificial intelligence, even before they were reported by users. The remaining 3.6 per cent was removed upon user reports.

Among the most relevant initiatives put in place by Meta are those developed for Instagram, the platform most exposed to the phenomenon today. One of the most incisive innovations is the function that automatically blurs nude images received in direct messages: the user only sees a warning and can decide whether or not to open them, with the immediate option of blocking or reporting the sender. This is not just a visual barrier, but a real prevention mechanism: even those who try to send a photo are warned of the risks and asked to reconsider, with the possibility of unsending. Data show that the system works: 99% of users, including teenagers, keep the function active and more than 40% of blurred pictures are never opened.

Instagram also introduced screenshot blocking for content posted in temporary mode ('view once' or 'play again'), so as to reduce the risk of unauthorised capture and dissemination. The 'Block and Report' function was also strengthened, allowing an account to be blocked and reported at the same time, simplifying the procedure against suspicious profiles. A further step forward concerns Teenager Accounts, now available not only on Instagram but also on Facebook and Messenger: here, privacy and security settings are more restrictive, with specific alerts when an adult attempts to contact a minor and restrictions on access to sensitive information.

The Global Platforms: StopNCII and Take It Down

Meta financed and implemented together with SWGfL (South West Grid for Learning) the StopNCII platform, dedicated to adults, and supported the NCMEC (National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children) to launch Take It Down, designed for minors.

The mechanism is that of fingerprints: the images are not uploaded, but transformed into unique codes (hashes), which allow platforms to recognise them and prevent their dissemination.

'It is crucial that these tools are cross-platform,' Flora points out. 'We are not just talking about Meta, but also TikTok, Reddit, OnlyFans, Pornhub, Snapchat, X. If content is blocked on one platform, it cannot reappear elsewhere'.

As of August 2025, StopNCII had 116 partner NGOs (including Permission Denied) and 14 member platforms.

Italy: laws are there, but enforcement difficult

Is there a regulatory vacuum in Italy? According to the experts, no. 'The laws are there, and they are also strict,' Flora observes. 'What is lacking is the capacity or the resources to enforce them. The postal police can obtain data and cooperation from platforms, but cases are often only followed up if they involve celebrities or end in tragedy'.

Bononcini agrees: 'The problem is cultural. Technology is not enough, information and awareness are needed."

The cultural challenge: speaking out to undo shame

Meta and Permit Denied have launched awareness-raising campaigns together with AssoInfluencer, with training days dedicated not only to journalists but also to influencers, who are often the first point of contact for those who undergo these experiences.

"There is no need to talk to the target who is paralysed at that moment," explains Flora. "It is necessary to activate his network of trust: friends, relatives, people he can turn to. If they know what to do, they can direct him immediately to the right tools'.

A threat to all

Sextortion is not a niche phenomenon. It affects men and women, young people and adults, professionals and students. 'There is no single profile,' Flora confirms, 'The only common factor is the risk associated with being online. A wrong chat is enough to become a target'.

That is why the answer can only be systemic: technology, laws, psychology, culture. With a shared goal: reducing shame and giving people back control of their digital lives.