A new investigation reveals that Apple and Google's app store systems are indirectly amplifying the reach of AI-powered "nudify" apps through search results and advertising mechanisms.
According to a report from tech watchdog Tech Transparency Project, these apps use generative AI to manipulate photos of real people, making them appear nude or sexually suggestive. Some can even generate videos or chat content. Despite both companies explicitly banning apps that create "involuntary sexualized imagery," the products remain available on their platforms.
How the platforms are pushing these apps
The report found that when users search for terms like "nudify" or "undress" in the app stores, the systems don't just return relevant apps—they also use autocomplete suggestions and ad placements to further steer users toward downloading them. This platform-level distribution is effectively widening the apps' audience.
The scale of the problem
The investigation identified 18 such apps on Apple's App Store and 20 on Google Play. Some are promoted with overtly sexual content, while others appear neutral on the surface but still offer the same image-generation capabilities. Collectively, these apps have been downloaded approximately 483 million times and have generated over $122 million in lifetime revenue.
Perhaps most alarming? Thirty-one of these apps were labeled as suitable for minors, raising serious concerns about the risk of deepfake sexual content spreading in school environments.
The response so far
After the report's release, both companies took some action: Apple removed 15 of the flagged apps, while Google removed 7. But the investigation argues that the fundamental recommendation algorithms themselves still contain loopholes that allow such apps to proliferate.
Regulatory pressure is building
The issue is attracting broader regulatory attention. Several U.S. states are pushing legislation to restrict these types of apps, and UK regulators have called for an outright ban, warning they could facilitate deepfake sexual abuse targeting minors.