San Francisco has issued a direct order to Apple and Google: remove dozens of apps that use AI to digitally undress people in photos, or face civil penalties. The city's action targets what it calls a systemic failure by both tech giants to stop the spread of non-consensual deepfake pornography on their platforms. Main Developments San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu sent formal letters to Apple and Google on July 17, demanding the removal of dozens of apps that can generate non-consensual intimate deepfakes. The letters, reviewed by TechCrunch, warn that both companies face civil penalties under California law for continuing to host and process payments for these programs. Chiu's office states that Apple and Google have been on notice for nearly a year about their role in facilitating payments for illegal purchases through these apps. Despite repeated warnings, the city alleges both companies have continued to profit from the apps. Chiu told Wired that the firms likely made millions of dollars in fees from such services. Read also: Apple's trade secrets lawsuit threatens OpenAI's IPO timeline Apple responded by stating it has removed three of the apps in question and is terminating their developer accounts, while contacting four others about policy violations. Google said all five Play Store apps referenced in the letter have been suspended, adding that it has already suspended hundreds of violating apps and restricted related search terms like "nudify." Background California law already criminalizes any activity that knowingly facilitates or recklessly aids the creation of non-consensual deepfake pornography. In 2025, the state passed additional legislation allowing victims to pursue civil actions against third-party facilitators of such material. The Tech Transparency Project (TTP) issued reports in January and April 2026, sending letters to both Apple and Google that documented dozens of apps within their stores selling deepfake non-consensual intimate images. TTP's April report accused both companies of intentionally steering users toward such apps and called them key participants in the spread of AI tools that sexualize real people without consent. Deepfake pornography has historically targeted female celebrities, but nudify apps have lowered the barrier, making anyone with a publicly available photo a potential victim. The city's letters request that Apple and Google contact the city within 28 days to address the violations. Why It Matters This action marks a significant escalation in holding platform operators legally responsible for third-party content that violates state law. If San Francisco prevails, it could set a precedent for other jurisdictions to pursue similar enforcement against app store operators who profit from abusive AI tools. The case also highlights the tension between platform policies—both Apple and Google claim to prohibit nudify apps—and the actual enforcement of those rules. Despite public statements against such content, the city alleges both companies continued to host and profit from the apps after being explicitly warned. What's Next Apple and Google have 28 days to respond to the city's letters. Failure to comply could result in civil penalties under California law. Both companies have already taken some action, removing or suspending the apps specifically named in the letters, but the city expects a broader purge of similar programs. The case may also prompt renewed scrutiny of how app store operators monitor and remove AI-powered tools that facilitate non-consensual image generation, potentially leading to industry-wide policy changes.