San Francisco Demands Apple and Google Remove 'Nudify' Apps Over Deepfake Concerns

• •San Francisco has ordered Apple and Google to remove 13 'nudify' apps linked to deepfakes.
• •The apps have been downloaded 483 million times, generating over $122 million in revenue.
• •Both companies face potential civil penalties for failing to act against non-consensual content.

San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has ordered Apple and Google to remove 13 AI-powered 'nudify' apps from their app stores, which generate non-consensual deepfake images. The cease-and-desist letters highlight the companies' potential complicity in facilitating the spread of such harmful content, as they have reportedly profited from in-app purchases linked to these apps. The investigation by the Tech Transparency Project revealed that both app stores actively promoted these apps, which have been downloaded 483 million times and generated over $122 million in revenue. Chiu's office argues that the companies have ignored prior warnings and continue to host apps that violate California law against non-consensual intimate imagery. Both companies have been given 28 days to respond to the demands or face civil penalties. Apple has removed some flagged apps, while Google claims to have suspended the identified applications. The issue raises significant concerns about the safety of minors, as many of these apps are rated suitable for children.