San Francisco has mandated that Apple and Google eliminate multiple “nudify” applications from their app stores—software that digitally removes clothing from images.
California law prohibits any action that knowingly assists or aids in producing non-consensual deepfake pornography. In 2025, a law was also enacted to allow victims to initiate civil lawsuits against third parties involved in disseminating such content. Despite these laws, San Francisco authorities claim that both tech giants continue to profit from these applications.
“Apple and Google are making money off apps that exploit women and girls by producing non-consensual intimate deepfakes,” stated David Chiu, the City Attorney for San Francisco, in a communication to TechCrunch. “While some problematic apps have been removed, these companies must take more proactive measures to prevent sexual exploitation.”
Chiu’s office sent letters to Apple and Google, which were reviewed by TechCrunch, indicating that the companies had been aware of their involvement in facilitating illegal purchases for almost a year yet have continued that practice.
The letters further highlighted that both companies had been cautioned multiple times about hosting these applications. Reports generated by the Tech Transparency Project in January and April identified numerous apps on their platforms that exchanged payments for deepfake non-consensual intimate images.
The April report asserted that both Google and Apple were directing users towards these apps and labeled them as key contributors to the proliferation of AI technologies capable of transforming real individuals into sexualized representations.
Chiu also informed Wired that the companies had likely earned “millions of dollars in fees” from these applications providing such services.
The letters warned Apple and Google about the potential for civil penalties for contravening the law and requested a response within 28 days.
In a statement to TechCrunch, an Apple representative asserted that nudify apps are prohibited from their App Store, mentioning: “We have already removed three of the identified apps and are in the process of terminating their developers’ accounts. We are also in discussions with four other apps that face policy violations and may be removed as well.”
A spokesperson for Google claimed that all five apps referenced in Chiu’s communication had been suspended from Google Play. “When violations come to our attention, we investigate and take immediate action, which has included suspending hundreds of non-compliant apps and limiting search terms like ‘nudify’ in our store,” the spokesperson added.
Deepfake pornography has predominantly targeted female celebrities, but nudify applications risk exposing anyone with publicly available images to such exploitation.
Update July 17: This article has been modified to reflect statements from Google and Apple.
