San Francisco told Apple and Google to remove 13 AI nudify apps from their stores.
Why it matters: The move escalates pressure on app stores to police AI abuse tools and could shape how platforms respond to nonconsensual sexualized images. It also keeps California enforcement and platform liability in focus for tech companies and policymakers.
- City Attorney David Chiu sent cease-and-desist letters on July 17, 2026.
- San Francisco asked Apple and Google to remove 13 AI nudify or face-swapping apps.
- The city sued nudify website operators in 2024 over nonconsensual sexualized images.
- Tech Transparency Project said on January 27, 2026 that 55 nudify apps were in Google Play and 47 were in Apple's App Store.
San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu sent cease-and-desist letters to Apple and Google on July 17, 2026, asking the companies to remove 13 AI nudify apps from their app stores, according to Wired's report and Ars Technica's report.
The request is the latest step in San Francisco's broader legal campaign over AI-generated sexual abuse content. The city sued nudify website operators in 2024, alleging the tools were used to create nonconsensual sexualized images. Bloomberg Law described that case as the nation's first suit over AI-generated pornography.
Researchers have said the apps were still easy to find. The Tech Transparency Project said on January 27, 2026 that 55 nudify apps were available in Google Play and 47 were available in Apple's App Store. A separate April 2026 report said Apple and Google search and ad systems could steer users toward nudify apps despite policies banning sexually explicit and abusive content. Tech Transparency Project 9to5Mac
Apple's 2024 App Store Transparency Report says apps can be removed for local law violations, repeated policy violations, fraud or regulator demands. The report also says government takedowns are generally jurisdiction-limited. Apple transparency report
By the numbers
- 13 - nudify apps San Francisco asked Apple and Google to remove.
- 55 - nudify apps Tech Transparency Project said were in Google Play on Jan. 27, 2026.
- 47 - nudify apps Tech Transparency Project said were in Apple's App Store on Jan. 27, 2026.
Yes, but: The letters are a demand, not a court order or formal enforcement action, so compliance remains up to Apple and Google.