Story perspectives

San Francisco Orders Apple, Google to Pull Deepfake Nudify Apps

7/18/2026

Summary

Story summary

City Attorney David Chiu issued cease-and-desist letters ordering Apple and Google to remove 13 AI “nudify” apps that generate non-consensual deepfake images.
Apple removed three of the targeted apps and is terminating the developers’ accounts.
Google deleted hundreds of apps, including the five cited in the letters.
The letters cite California law criminalizing facilitation of non-consensual deepfake pornography and warn of civil penalties if compliance is not achieved within 28 days.

History

Historical Context

California’s 2015 revenge-porn law, Penal Code §647(j), set a $10,000 civil penalty per violation and spurred platform bans that year. Building on that framework, City Attorney David Chiu in 2024 ordered Apple and Google to pull thirteen AI “nudify” deep-fake apps, echoing nationwide moves—including the 2022 federal civil-action amendment and the 2025 TAKE IT DOWN Act—to hold tech firms accountable.

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Story summary

City Attorney David Chiu issued cease-and-desist letters ordering Apple and Google to remove 13 AI “nudify” apps that generate non-consensual deepfake images.
Apple removed three of the targeted apps and is terminating the developers’ accounts.
Google deleted hundreds of apps, including the five cited in the letters.
The letters cite California law criminalizing facilitation of non-consensual deepfake pornography and warn of civil penalties if compliance is not achieved within 28 days.

1 / 2