UK Regulator Bans PixVideo Ad for Implying Non-Consensual Image Removal
The UK's Advertising Standards Authority banned a YouTube ad for PixVideo, an AI video editing app, after finding it implied users could remove women's clothing without consent. The regulator said the ad, which featured a before-and-after image with the text "Erase anything," was irresponsible, objectified women, and perpetuated harmful gender stereotypes.
What happened
A YouTube advertisement for PixVideo - AI Video Maker, seen in January 2026, showed a before and after image of a young woman, with red scribble overlaid on her midriff in the former and parts of her bare skin exposed in the latter, with text stating 'Erase anything'.
Eight people complained to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) that the ad sexualised and objectified women, and was irresponsible, offensive and harmful.
Reported impact
The ASA found that the ad implied viewers could use the app to remove a woman's clothing, and considered it condoned digitally altering and exposing women's bodies without their consent.
The regulator said the ad was irresponsible, included a harmful gender stereotype and was likely to cause serious offence.
Index analysis
Saeta Tech said PixVideo prohibited the creation of nude or sexually explicit content and had automated detection and blocking tools to prevent such imagery from being generated, but that the ad's presentation and messaging were the problem rather than the product's intended use.
Governance controls
The company agreed not to show the ad again and paused all advertising while carrying out an internal review.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.