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- San Francisco sends notice to Apple and Google: Remove these apps right away
San Francisco sends notice to Apple and Google: Remove these apps right away
TOI Tech Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Jul 18, 2026, 16:30 IST
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The city of San Francisco has issued a formal legal order to tech giants Apple and Google, demanding the immediate removal of dozens of ‘nudify’ apps from their digital storefronts. These controversial artificial intelligence (AI) apps allow users to digitally alter photographs to remove the clothing off the people in them. According to a report, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu announced the action, accusing both companies of hosting, promoting and actively profiting from applications that generate non-consensual intimate deepfake – a practice that targets women and girls.“Apple and Google are profiting off apps that exploit women and girls by generating nonconsensual intimate deepfakes. While the companies cut ties with some problematic apps, Apple and Google have a responsibility to be proactive and vigilant to prevent sexual abuse,” San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu told TechCrunch.
Profiting from ‘illegal services’
The legal notices sent by the City Attorney’s office state that Apple and Google have likely raked in “millions of dollars in fees” by processing payments for these illicit services. Under California law, it is a crime to knowingly facilitate the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography. Furthermore, legislation passed in 2025 grants victims the right to file civil lawsuits directly against third-party facilitators, including app store operators, that help distribute or monetize this material.Citing the city’s investigation, the report says that both tech giants have been “on notice” regarding their role in processing payments for these illegal purchases for nearly a year but failed to fully clean up their platforms.
Apple and Google respond to San Francisco notices
The letters from the City Attorney warn that Apple and Google face severe civil penalties if they do not comply, giving both corporations 28 days to coordinate directly with the city. In response to the order, both companies stated they are taking swift action against the flagged developers:Apple confirmed that ‘nudify’ apps are strictly forbidden under its guidelines. A spokesperson stated: ““We have removed three of the apps in question and are in the process of terminating their developer accounts from our program. We are in contact with four others that need to address policy violations or risk being removed as well.”Google announced that all five specific applications referenced in the city’s letter have been suspended from the Google Play store. “When violations are reported to us, we investigate and take swift action, which in the case of these apps has included suspending hundreds of violating apps and restricting related search terms like ‘nudify’ on our store,” the spokesperson added.Get the latest technology news and updates. Download the TOI App.
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