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Apple and Google ordered to purge ‘nudify’ apps from App Stores
San Francisco has ordered Apple and Google to remove ‘nudify’ apps from their stores due to California laws that prohibit non-consensual deepfake pornography. City Attorney David Chiu highlights that both companies have profited from these apps despite ongoing warnings. They could face civil penalties for non-compliance, as these apps exploit victims, particularly women and girls.
Key points
- San Francisco orders removal of 'nudify' apps from Apple and Google stores.
- California law criminalizes facilitation of non-consensual deepfake pornography.
- City Attorney warns both companies have profited from these apps despite warnings for almost a year.
- Reports indicate that Apple and Google have knowingly hosted and processed payments for illegal purchases.
- Chiu emphasizes that they could face civil penalties for not complying with the law.
Why it matters
- The emergence of deepfake technology has raised significant ethical and legal challenges.
- In 2025, California's law allowed victims to seek civil actions against third-party facilitators of non-consensual content.
- There is a growing trend of scrutiny on tech companies for their roles in enabling harmful content distribution.
The situation underscores the urgent need for stricter regulations and accountability for tech giants in combating the misuse of emerging digital technologies, especially in safeguarding against the exploitation of vulnerable individuals.