Apple Bans AI-Powered Nudify Apps and Bait-and-Switch Tactics

The revised policy mandates that platforms hosting user-generated content must implement robust filtering tools, alongside accessible reporting and blocking mechanisms. Apple signaled a zero-tolerance approach toward the "bait-and-switch" tactic, where apps misrepresent their primary function to bypass automated and manual checks. Any software found adding undocumented features post-approval will face immediate removal from the store.

This regulatory pivot follows heavy criticism from San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, who demanded the removal of nudify apps earlier this year. Investigations by the Tech Transparency Project previously highlighted that such software often bypassed safety filters, with some tools even marketed toward minors. Beyond content moderation, Apple updated its legal framework to explicitly bar any applications linked to human trafficking or child exploitation, building on a track record that saw 150,000 app submissions blocked and 193,000 developer accounts purged for fraud throughout the previous year.