San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu has sent formal cease-and-desist letters to Apple and Google demanding the immediate removal of 13 so-called 'nudify' applications capable of generating non-consensual explicit images through artificial intelligence. The legal action asserts that both technology companies have long been aware that these tools operate in violation of California state law.
The flagged applications allow users to upload real photographs of individuals and generate nude or sexualized versions without their consent, a practice tied to cases of harassment, extortion, and the spread of fabricated intimate content. Despite internal policies both companies claim to enforce against this type of material, the apps managed to remain available for extended periods, generating substantial revenue in the process.
Official estimates suggest Apple and Google may have collectively earned several million dollars through fees tied to the distribution and in-app purchases of these applications. That figure has intensified public and legal pressure on both companies, which now face demands to act swiftly and demonstrate stronger safeguards to prevent similar apps from resurfacing on their platforms.
The letters issued by the city attorney's office not only call for the removal of the 13 identified apps but also warn of potential further legal consequences should the companies fail to take corrective action. It remains unconfirmed whether Apple and Google will face additional financial penalties, though the scale of the case could prompt a broader review of content moderation policies around AI-generated material across both app stores.
The case unfolds amid growing regulatory scrutiny of artificial intelligence tools capable of producing non-consensual sexual content, a trend that has raised alarm among local authorities and digital privacy advocates across the United States.