San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has sent a formal letter to Apple and Google ordering the immediate removal of dozens of so-called "nudify" applications that use artificial intelligence to generate non-consensual intimate images. These apps, available on both the App Store and Google Play, allow users to digitally undress people in ordinary photos, turning anyone into a victim of deepfake pornography. According to the City Attorney's office, the two tech companies have been aware for nearly a year that they are hosting software violating California law, yet they have continued to profit from the transactions.
City Attorney Chiu accuses Apple and Google of profiting from illegal apps
In the letter viewed by TechCrunch, Chiu emphasizes that California criminalizes any activity that "knowingly facilitates" or "recklessly aids or abets" the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography. In 2025, the state also passed a law allowing victims to pursue civil actions against third-party facilitators of such material. Apple and Google, according to the accusation, have not only continued to host these apps but have also promoted them through recommendation algorithms, earning millions of dollars in fees. The Tech Transparency Project, in two separate reports from January and April, had already flagged the presence of "dozens of apps" selling non-consensual intimate images in exchange for payments processed by the two companies.
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Apple and Google respond with app removals and account suspensions
Contacted by TechCrunch, an Apple spokesperson stated that three of the reported apps have been removed and their developer accounts are being terminated. Apple has also contacted four additional developers, warning them to resolve violations or face removal. Google said it has suspended all five Play Store apps mentioned in Chiu's letter, adding that it has already blocked hundreds of similar applications and restricted search terms like "nudify". Both companies claim to act swiftly upon reports, but the City Attorney argues their proactive efforts are insufficient.
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California's legal framework against non-consensual deepfakes
California laws are among the strictest in the United States regarding non-consensual deepfakes. Beyond penalizing creation and distribution, recent regulations extend liability to those who provide tools or platforms that facilitate such abuse. Chiu's letter gives Apple and Google 28 days to respond, threatening legal action that could result in significant civil penalties. This case is part of a broader effort by U.S. authorities to combat malicious AI use, as previously seen in a similar action by the San Francisco City Attorney against 13 deepfake apps last year.
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Non-consensual deepfake pornography disproportionately affects women and girls, but anyone with a publicly available photo can be targeted. Nudify apps lower the technical barrier, enabling anyone to create pornographic material without the victim's consent. Digital rights organizations have applauded the City Attorney's action, calling for stricter measures against platforms that profit from exploitation.
For background, read the related article: San Francisco Attorney Orders Apple and Google to Remove 13 AI Nonconsensual Deepfake Apps. The original source of this news is available on TechCrunch: Apple and Google ordered to purge 'nudify' apps from App Stores.
Source: https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/17/apple-and-google-ordered-to-purge-nudify-apps-from-app-stores
