Apple and Google Face Pressure to Remove Unauthorized Apps

Apple and Google have been urged multiple times to halt the availability of unauthorized applications on their platforms. The city of San Francisco revealed that it has been trying to engage with these tech giants for almost a year to discontinue access, but has seen little success, as these companies continue to profit from such apps.

San Francisco officials claim both companies are “processing payments for illegal purchases” where users modify photographs using AI to remove clothing from individuals depicted. Such applications, often referred to as “nudify” apps, have led the city to demand the removal of several programs that Apple and Google profit from.

“Apple and Google profit from apps that exploit women and girls by producing non-consensual intimate deepfakes,” stated San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu. “While both companies are cutting ties with certain problematic apps, they hold a responsibility to act proactively in preventing sexual abuse,” he said.

In response to the pressing concern, a law has been enacted that makes it a federal offense to knowingly publish or threaten to publish non-consensual intimate images through any computer service—whether those images are real or fabricated. Violations can result in a prison sentence of up to two years for adults, and three years for minors.

According to reports, thirty states have adopted these protective measures, with 46 states putting laws in place targeting AI-generated media.

An Apple representative assured that such apps are banned from the App Store, confirming that three problematic applications have been promptly removed. The spokesperson mentioned, “We are currently in the process of terminating developer accounts that violate our policies.”

Meanwhile, Google indicated that it has suspended all five apps flagged by the city of San Francisco. The company stated, “When violations are pointed out, we investigate and take swift actions, which in these cases involved suspending hundreds of violating apps and restricting search terms like ‘nudify’ in the Play Store.”

In related developments, meta began cracking down on similar images that became prevalent in 2025 as deepfake nudify ads started to appear on its social platforms.