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Apple and Google Accused of Steering Users to AI ‘Nudify’ Apps, Watchdog Finds

The findings show app‑store features steer users to abusive AI tools despite formal bans.

Overview

  • TTP’s new report, published Wednesday, says App Store and Google Play search, autocomplete and paid ads guide people to apps that generate nonconsensual nude images and videos.
  • Nearly 40% of top results for terms like “nudify,” “undress” and “deepnude” could create sexualized deepfakes, and investigators counted 31 apps rated as suitable for minors or labeled “E for Everyone.”
  • Apple removed 15 apps after reporters and researchers flagged them, while Google said many cited apps were suspended with enforcement ongoing and seven removals following the probe.
  • Hands-on tests documented explicit deepfakes produced with no safeguards, including a face‑swap app placing a woman’s face onto a topless body, and one developer said they used the Grok model and would tighten moderation.
  • The flagged apps have drawn about 483 million downloads and $122 million in lifetime revenue, sharpening calls for stronger app‑store oversight under measures like the US Take It Down Act and planned UK penalties for failures to remove such content.