Key Takeaways

  • San Francisco has mandated the removal of ‘nudify’ apps from Apple and Google.
  • California laws prohibit non-consensual deepfake pornography.
  • Both companies have been warned about hosting these apps for nearly a year.
  • Apple and Google may face civil penalties if they do not comply.

San Francisco’s Directive

San Francisco officials have instructed Apple and Google to eliminate numerous ‘nudify’ apps from their app stores. These applications allow users to digitally alter images, effectively unclothing individuals depicted in the photos.

Legal Context

California law criminalizes actions that knowingly facilitate or recklessly aid in the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography. In 2025, the state enacted legislation enabling victims to pursue civil actions against those who facilitate such content. Despite these regulations, both tech giants have continued to host and profit from these problematic applications.

City Attorney’s Statement

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu criticized the companies, stating, “Apple and Google are profiting off apps that exploit women and girls by generating nonconsensual intimate deepfakes.” He emphasized the need for the companies to take proactive measures against such exploitation.

Warnings Ignored

Chiu’s office has sent letters to both companies, indicating they have been aware of their involvement in processing payments for illegal purchases for almost a year. Reports from the Tech Transparency Project have highlighted the presence of numerous apps within their stores that sell deepfake content in exchange for payments.

Financial Implications

Chiu noted that both Apple and Google likely earned millions from these apps. The letters from his office warn that the companies could face civil penalties for violating the law and request a response within 28 days.

Company Responses

In response to inquiries, an Apple spokesperson stated that nudify apps are prohibited in its App Store. They confirmed the removal of three such apps and are working to terminate the developers’ accounts. Apple is also in contact with four other developers regarding policy violations.

A Google spokesperson reported that all five apps referenced in Chiu’s letter have been suspended from Google Play. They emphasized their commitment to investigating reported violations and taking swift action, including suspending hundreds of violating apps.

Broader Impact

While deepfake pornography has primarily affected female celebrities, nudify apps pose a risk to anyone with publicly available photos, making this issue a widespread concern.