Indie publisher Finji says TikTok used generative AI to alter its ads without permission—including one that inserted a racist, sexualized stereotype of a character from Usual June. The studio, known for publishing titles like Night in the Woods and Tunic and developing Usual June and Overland, says the modified ads ran as if posted from its official account.
Finji CEO Rebekah Saltsman first raised the issue publicly, asking followers on Bluesky, “If you happen to see any Finji ads that look distinctly UN-Finji-like, send me a screencap.”
Talking to IGN, Saltsman says that Finji has “AI turned all the way off” on its TikTok ad account. The team became aware of the issue only after users began commenting on its legitimate ads, questioning strange versions that didn’t match the original video creatives. Viewers sent screenshots showing what appeared to be AI-generated variants. One image viewed by IGN shows an altered version of Usual June key art in which protagonist June is redrawn with exaggerated hips and thighs, a bikini bottom, and over-the-knee boots–imagery Saltsman says invokes a harmful stereotype.
