Abusers using AI and digital tech to attack and control women, charity warns
3 days ago
- #technology-misuse
- #womens-safety
- #domestic-abuse
- Domestic abusers are using AI, smartwatches, and other technology to control victims.
- Refuge reports a 62% increase in complex tech-facilitated abuse cases in late 2025.
- Perpetrators use wearable tech (smartwatches, Oura rings) to track and stalk victims.
- Smart home devices are manipulated to disrupt victims' lives (lights, heating).
- AI spoofing apps impersonate people to deceive or manipulate survivors.
- Survivor Mina's abuser tracked her via a smartwatch linked to cloud accounts.
- AI tools create fake videos or documents to discredit or lure survivors.
- Future misuse of medical tech (e.g., diabetes trackers) could be life-threatening.
- Refuge calls for better tech design and regulation to protect women and girls.
- Government urged to invest in digital investigations and hold tech companies accountable.