San Francisco orders Apple and Google to remove nudification apps
The San Francisco City Attorney demanded that Apple and Google remove 13 AI 'nudification' apps from their app stores for creating non-consensual sexual deepfake images. Both companies confirmed they had taken action against the apps, with Apple removing three and planning developer account terminations, and Google stating it had deleted hundreds of such apps.
What happened
The San Francisco City Attorney sent cease-and-desist letters to Apple and Google on July 17, 2026, demanding removal of 13 AI 'nudification' or 'face-swap' apps—eight from the App Store and five from the Play Store—that create non-consensual nude images by digitally undressing people in photos or videos.
The attorney's office argued that Apple and Google were 'aiding and abetting' the sale of explicit deepfake images by profiting from in-app payments and collecting millions in fees from the apps, despite having developer policies against pornography.
Reported impact
The nudification apps enabled creation of non-consensual sexual deepfakes and nude images, which is illegal, and have led to production of child sexual abuse material (CSAM) in at least one case involving five anonymous young women and girls.
Some of those affected feared that AI deepfakes shared online could lead to offline stalking by sex predators.
Index analysis
Both Apple and Google had previously removed batches of nudify apps after being flagged by researchers, and Apple had tightened App Store guidelines on developer responsibility for pornographic content in June 2026.
In response to the cease-and-desist letters, Apple stated it had removed three of the named apps and was terminating their developer accounts, while also reviewing four others for policy violations. Google confirmed deletion of 'hundreds' of apps with nudifying features for policy violations, including the five named in the letters.
Governance controls
Both Apple and Google maintain developer rules prohibiting pornography and apps designed to generate, distribute, or consume pornography.
Apple stated the App Store was designed to be a safe and trusted place and users can report illegal or abusive content via reportaproblem.apple.com.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.