San Francisco Demands Apple and Google Eliminate Nudify Apps
WHO:
TechCrunch - San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu
Ars Technica - San Francisco city officials
Engadget - San Francisco attorney
WHAT:
Yahoo Tech - San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu stated, "These images are used to bully, humiliate, and threaten women and girls," highlighting the severe impact of the nudify apps on victims' mental health and autonomy.
Yahoo Tech - A report published by the Tech Transparency Project found that apps capable of creating nonconsensual, sexualized images of women had been downloaded more than 705 million times and generated $117 million in revenue.
Yahoo Tech - Apple has removed three of the nudify apps in question and is in the process of terminating their developer accounts from its program.
MacRumors - San Francisco city attorney David Chiu sent legal notices demanding the removal of 13 face-swapping apps that create AI-generated nonconsensual nude images.
TechCrunch - The letters sent to Apple and Google indicated that both companies have been aware of hosting apps that violate state law.
Ars Technica - San Francisco ordered Apple and Google to remove nudify apps from their app stores.
Engadget - Google and Apple were sent cease-and-desist letters regarding 13 apps on their respective stores.
Ars Technica - Official estimates suggest that Google and Apple likely made millions in nudify app fees.
WHERE:
Ars Technica - San Francisco, California
WHEN:
Engadget - The cease-and-desist letters were issued recently, with no specific date provided for future actions.
WHY:
TechCrunch - The action was taken due to the violation of state law by the nudify apps hosted on the platforms.
Engadget - The action was taken due to concerns over the content of the nudify apps.
HOW:
Yahoo Tech - Apple stated that it has proactively rejected many nudify apps and removed others when flagged by users via reporting tools.
Engadget - The city attorney's office utilized cease-and-desist letters as a method to compel action from Apple and Google.
(UPDATED July 18, 2026 05:43 UTC)
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has condemned nudify apps for their role in bullying and threatening women and girls, emphasizing their detrimental effects on mental health and personal autonomy. A report from the Tech Transparency Project reveals that these apps, which create nonconsensual sexualized images, have been downloaded over 705 million times and have generated $117 million in revenue. In response, Apple has removed three of these apps and is working to terminate the developer accounts associated with them, while also highlighting its efforts to proactively reject many such applications.
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(UPDATED July 17, 2026 23:13 UTC)
San Francisco city attorney David Chiu has issued legal notices demanding the removal of 13 face-swapping apps that generate AI-created nonconsensual nude images. This action highlights ongoing concerns about privacy and consent in the digital age. The city is taking a firm stance against technology that exploits individuals without their permission.
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(UPDATED July 17, 2026 20:23 UTC)
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has sent letters to Apple and Google, indicating that both companies are aware of hosting apps that violate state law. This action comes in response to the violation of state law by the nudify apps available on their platforms. The situation highlights ongoing concerns regarding compliance with legal standards in the tech industry.
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(UPDATED July 17, 2026 17:25 UTC)
San Francisco city officials have ordered Apple and Google to remove nudify apps from their app stores, sending cease-and-desist letters regarding thirteen specific apps. This action comes amid concerns over the content of these nudify apps, which have reportedly generated millions in fees for both companies. The city attorney's office is using these letters as a way to compel Apple and Google to comply with the order.