San Francisco Orders Apple, Google to Pull AI ‘Nudify’ Apps in 28 Days

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has issued cease-and-desist notices to Apple and Google, directing both technology companies to remove a number of AI-powered “nudify” applications from their app stores within 28 days or risk potential civil penalties under California law.

The legal notices target 13 applications—eight available on Apple’s App Store and five on Google Play—that authorities say can generate non-consensual, sexually explicit AI images of real people using ordinary photographs without their permission.

California Cites Deepfake Laws in Enforcement Action

According to the City Attorney’s Office, the action relies on two California laws designed to address the misuse of artificial intelligence for creating intimate deepfake content.

One statute makes it a criminal offence to knowingly facilitate or recklessly assist in the creation of non-consensual intimate deepfakes. Another law, enacted in 2025, allows civil action against digital platforms that continue to host or distribute such applications after receiving formal notice, potentially exposing app stores to legal liability.

Officials argue that Apple and Google were previously informed about the presence of these applications but allegedly allowed them to remain available while continuing to process in-app purchases.

Chiu stated that beyond any financial benefit earned through platform commissions, the apps have the potential to cause significant emotional, psychological, and reputational harm to victims whose images are manipulated without consent.

Research Report Prompted Wider Scrutiny

The legal action follows reports published by the Tech Transparency Project, a nonprofit research organization that documented the availability of AI “nudify” applications on major app marketplaces.

A report released in January 2026 identified numerous apps capable of generating synthetic intimate images, while a follow-up investigation in April 2026 alleged that many of those applications remained available and continued generating revenue. The report also claimed that some apps carried age ratings that could make them accessible to younger users despite their intended functionality.

Apple and Google Respond

Following the legal notices, both companies confirmed they had taken action against some of the identified applications.

Google said it had suspended all five apps named in the notice from Google Play, citing violations of its policies governing sexually explicit content.

Apple stated that its App Store guidelines prohibit applications designed to create or distribute pornographic material. The company said it had removed three of the identified apps, terminated the associated developer accounts, and was continuing discussions with the developers of the remaining applications over alleged policy violations.

AI Deepfake Platforms Face Growing Legal Pressure

The latest enforcement effort forms part of a broader campaign by San Francisco authorities to combat the misuse of artificial intelligence for creating non-consensual intimate imagery.

City officials have previously pursued legal action against websites offering similar AI-based image-generation services. Researchers have also raised concerns that major online platforms may inadvertently contribute to the spread of such tools by allowing advertising or promotional content that directs users to them.

Meanwhile, debate continues at the federal level over stronger legal protections for victims of AI-generated intimate imagery. While proposed legislation such as the DEFIANCE Act seeks to expand victims’ ability to pursue civil claims, California’s existing laws provide broader mechanisms for holding online platforms accountable in certain circumstances.

Authorities have increasingly warned that the misuse of generative AI extends beyond synthetic imagery. According to federal law enforcement data, AI-enabled fraud contributed to hundreds of millions of dollars in financial losses during 2025, highlighting the growing challenge regulators face in addressing emerging forms of digital abuse.