Apple and Google removing dozens of "nudity" apps in Grok-related fallout

Investing.com -- Apple has removed 28 "nudify" apps from its App Store after a report from the Tech Transparency Project (TTP) revealed dozens of applications that use AI to generate nude images of people from their photos.

The watchdog group’s January review found 47 such apps on Apple’s App Store and 55 on Google Play, TTP disclosed to CNBC. These apps were discovered by searching terms like "nudify" and "undress," and were tested using AI-generated images of fully clothed women.

TTP Director Katie Paul told CNBC, "These were definitely designed for non-consensual sexualization of people."

Apple reportedly removed the apps on Monday and warned other developers about potential removal if they don’t address guideline violations. TTP noted that its follow-up review found only 24 apps had actually been removed.

Google also suspended several apps for policy violations but didn’t specify how many, stating its investigation was ongoing.

The report comes amid growing concerns about AI misuse, following recent controversy when Elon Musk’s xAI faced criticism after its Grok AI tool generated sexualized images of women and children in response to user prompts.

The watchdog tested two types of applications: those using AI to render images of women without clothes and "face swap" apps that placed women’s faces onto nude bodies.

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