Bavfakes [upd] Today
The history of this niche mirrors the history of digital image editing:
As AI models become more sophisticated, the line between what is "real" and what is a "bavfake" will continue to blur. This has led to the development of "Deepfake Detection" software and the push for digital watermarking (like the C2PA standard) to verify the provenance of an image. bavfakes
Many regions, including several U.S. states and EU countries, are passing laws specifically targeting the creation and distribution of non-consensual AI-generated imagery. Platforms are also being held more accountable for hosting such content. The Future of Digital Realism The history of this niche mirrors the history
Today, tools like Stable Diffusion and Midjourney allow users to generate entirely new images from text prompts, making the creation of specialized content faster and more accessible than ever before. The Community and Platforms states and EU countries, are passing laws specifically
Early creators spent hours meticulously blending layers, adjusting color balances, and hand-painting shadows to create a "fake" that could pass for "real."
Beyond adult content, the technology used in these circles can be weaponized to create "fake news," such as doctoring a politician’s speech or creating false evidence for legal cases.
However, because much of this content borders on or explicitly crosses into adult territory (often referred to as "non-consensual deepfake pornography" or NCII), these communities frequently face de-platforming. This has led to a "cat-and-mouse" game between moderators of mainstream sites like Reddit or Twitter and the creators of this content. Ethical and Legal Concerns