A recent investigation by the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) revealed that both Apple and Google are inadvertently promoting apps that create digital nudity through their app store search and advertising systems. The study identified 31 “nudify” apps, some of which are rated suitable for minors, raising concerns amidst rising incidents of sexual deepfake scandals in educational settings.
These apps, designed to digitally strip clothing from images of women, have amassed approximately 483 million downloads and generated over $122 million in revenue. The investigation highlighted that when users searched for terms like "nudify" or "deepnude," many of these apps appeared prominently in search results, with advertisements for them also included.
TTP's findings emphasize the significant role that Apple and Google play in facilitating the accessibility of AI tools capable of transforming photos of individuals into sexually explicit images or videos. This alarming trend shows that the platforms are not merely passive hosts but are actively enhancing the visibility of such applications.