San Francisco Takes Action Against Tech Giants

The city of San Francisco has issued a stern warning to Apple and Google, ordering them to remove dozens of ‘nudify’ apps from their app stores. These apps, which can digitally alter pictures to unclothe individuals, have been a source of concern for authorities due to their potential to create non-consensual deepfake pornography.

California law explicitly criminalizes any activity that ‘knowingly facilitates’ or ‘recklessly aids or abets’ the creation of such material. In 2025, the state passed a law allowing victims to pursue civil actions against third-party facilitators of non-consensual deepfakes. Despite these regulations, both tech companies have continued to host and profit from these programs.

City Attorney David Chiu Speaks Out

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu emphasized the severity of the issue, stating, ‘Apple and Google are profiting off apps that exploit women and girls by generating nonconsensual intimate deepfakes.’ He added, ‘While the companies cut ties with some problematic apps, Apple and Google have a responsibility to be proactive and vigilant to prevent sexual abuse.’

Letters sent to Google and Apple by Chiu’s office note that the companies have ‘been on notice’ for their role in processing payments for illegal purchases for almost a year but have continued to do so. The letters also mention that both companies have been repeatedly warned about hosting these apps, with the Tech Transparency Project issuing reports and sending letters to both companies in January and April.

According to the letters, Google and Apple had intentionally ‘steered’ users towards these apps and were considered ‘key participants in the spread of AI tools that can turn real people into sexualized images.’ Chiu also revealed that both companies had likely made ‘millions of dollars in fees’ from apps offering such services.

Company Responses

When reached for comment, an Apple spokesperson stated that nudify apps were forbidden from appearing in their App Store and that they had removed three of the apps in question and were in the process of terminating their developer accounts. A Google spokesperson claimed that all five Play apps referenced in Chiu’s letter had been suspended from Google Play and that the company investigates and takes swift action when violations are reported.

The city of San Francisco has given both companies 28 days to comply with the order and has warned that they could face civil penalties for violating the law.