Apple and Google Host Nudify Apps That Break Their Rules

A new investigation reveals that major app store operators are failing to enforce their own policies against harmful content. According to a report released this week by the Tech Transparency Project, both Apple and Google are hosting mobile applications that enable the creation of nonconsensual sexualized imagery. This practice directly contradicts the official guidelines of both tech giants, which explicitly ban apps designed for harassment or that facilitate the creation of deepfake pornography.

The report identifies multiple apps available for download that use artificial intelligence to strip clothing from photos of individuals. These tools can easily be used to generate fake nude images without a person’s knowledge or consent, a form of digital abuse predominantly targeting women. While the companies have rules against such content, the investigation found these applications remain readily accessible, raising serious questions about the effectiveness of their review and enforcement processes.

This gap between policy and practice highlights a significant challenge in platform governance. The existence of these nudify apps points to a failure in the app vetting systems that are supposed to protect users. For victims, the proliferation of these tools means the constant threat of having their likeness manipulated for sexual exploitation is just a download away. The report calls for greater accountability, urging Apple and Google to consistently apply their stated rules and remove these harmful applications from their digital marketplaces.