Apple updates App Store guidelines to ban 'nudify' AI apps

Apple has updated its App Store review guidelines to explicitly prohibit applications that use artificial intelligence to generate non-consensual intimate imagery, commonly referred to as 'nudify' apps. This policy shift follows widespread public criticism regarding the proliferation of sexualized deepfakes on social media platforms, including instances involving minors. While Apple faced pressure to address the misuse of AI tools like Grok on the X platform, the company has focused its regulatory efforts on the App Store ecosystem to prevent the distribution of software designed to harass or exploit individuals. The new rules empower Apple to reject or remove apps that facilitate the creation of deepfake content. This move highlights the growing tension between platform gatekeepers and the rapid advancement of generative AI, as tech giants struggle to balance innovation with user safety and the prevention of digital harassment.