Since 2014, Vinted has allowed UK sellers to buy and sell pre-owned items, with all fees earned going to the seller.
The app allows users to sell everything from dresses, shoes, and bags to vases, books, electronics, and even luxury branded items.
Vinted users have long been accustomed to posting simple product photos with little effort, making it the ideal way to earn some extra cash from old items.
However, users have seen an increase in AI-generated photos used in product listings.
Users see growing trend of AI images on Vinted
On the Reddit group r/vinted, the topic of AI photos gained traction as one user posted: “Sorry, why are we now using AI photos to sell clothes on Vinted?
“Have we lost the ability to just take a photo of the actual item?”
Adding to the post, the user wrote: “Surely it’s more effort to take a photo and run it through AI than it is to just post the original photo??
“I’m not buying something that I can’t tell the actual colour or fabric of it because you’ve decided to make your profile look ‘aesthetic’.”
Some members of the Reddit group suggest that it “should be illegal to use AI to sell clothes”, while another said they “never buy them” [AI listings].
One Vinted user even said that they are worried the service might get “run over” by the images: “I’m seeing it more and more recently on Vinted.
“Puts me off buying from that seller if they can’t be bothered to be accurate.
“Unfortunately, a lot of people can’t detect AI or have lower standards for what they buy, so I’m worried the app will eventually get run over by AI images and will be hard to make a sale without the ‘aesthetic'”.
Can you use AI-generated images on Vinted?
In a statement given to Newsquest, Vinted said that the use of AI is not prohibited in itself; however, it does have guidance users must follow.
A Vinted spokesperson told Newsquest: “Vinted members are required to upload real photos of their items.
“While the use of AI as a visual enhancement tool (e.g. background removal) is not prohibited in itself, the photo must remain an accurate representation of the item and comply with our Terms and Conditions and Catalog Rules.
“Using AI to mislead, such as misrepresenting an item’s condition in listings or during disputes, is not allowed, and we take appropriate action – including the removal of listings or the suspension of accounts – when we become aware of it”.
In Vinted’s catalogue rules, under requirements for the item’s photos, it states that all pictures used in listings must meet the following requirements:
- They have to represent the item as it is – no image editing is allowed.
- They must be sharp and clear.
- They have to be taken by you with the purpose of using the photos on Vinted.
- They cannot be replaced with stock photos, photos from ads, or watermarked images.
- The first photo should clearly represent the whole item.
- They must showcase your item’s authenticity.
- For products which are subject to age ratings (like adult video games), they need to display the necessary age rating label.
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Discussing how Vinted tracks the use of AI, it told Newsquest: “We use a combination of moderation teams, member reporting, and detection tools to catch and act on any content that goes against our policies”.
While users of the service share they have seen an increase in AI-generated images, Vinted claims it is a “minority”: “Overall, the misleading use of AI is in the minority, but we’re constantly working on our systems to help ensure people have a safe experience on our platform”.
Have you seen AI-generated images on Vinted? Let us know in the comments.
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