Yesterday, the city of San Francisco ordered Apple and Google to remove dozens of AI “nudify” apps from their app stores. These software programs use artificial intelligence to digitally alter public pictures and unclothe the people in them.
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu sent cease-and-desist letters to the tech giants this week. The letters demand they stop profiting from 13 specific “face-swap” and nudify apps. These malicious tools overwhelmingly target women and girls.
Ignoring Warnings & Profiting from AI “Nudify” Apps
Both Apple and Google make money by processing payments for these apps. Chiu stated that the companies have likely made millions of dollars in app store fees from these illegal purchases.
Furthermore, the tech giants knew about this issue for almost a year. The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) issued reports in January and April 2026. They explicitly warned both companies that dozens of apps sold non-consensual intimate images (NCII). In fact, the TTP report stated that Apple and Google intentionally steered users toward these deepfake tools. Consequently, the TTP called both companies key participants in spreading sexualized deepfakes.
While female celebrities face the brunt of this deepfake pornography, anyone with a publicly available photo remains at risk.
The Tech Giants Respond
The City Attorney’s office gave Apple and Google 28 days to contact the city. Following the letters, both companies claimed they took immediate action.
An Apple spokesperson stated that the App Store strictly forbids nudify apps. Specifically, Apple removed three targeted apps and initiated the termination of their developer accounts. Additionally, Apple contacted four other developers regarding policy violations.
Meanwhile, a Google spokesperson claimed the company suspended all five Play Store apps mentioned in the city’s letter. Google also stated it has suspended hundreds of violating apps overall and restricted search terms like “nudify” on its storefront.
Looming Legal Action
Despite these recent suspensions, Apple and Google face serious legal threats. California law already makes it a crime to knowingly facilitate or recklessly aid the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography.
Moreover, California passed a specific law in 2025. This legislation allows victims to pursue civil lawsuits against third-party facilitators who host such material. Therefore, if Apple and Google fail to fully comply with the city’s demands, they could face massive civil penalties for enabling sexual abuse.
