Apple and Google host dozens of apps that can digitally undress women, report finds

App Store

• Apple and Google host apps that undress women in photos without consent
• Report: 100+ apps downloaded 705M times, earning $117M
• Both companies removed some apps, but many similar ones are still available.

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Apple and Google publicly ban apps that create sexualised images. But a new report shows that both companies continue to host dozens of apps that can digitally remove clothes from women and turn ordinary photos into sexualised images without consent.

The findings come from an investigation by the Tech Transparency Project, which looked at apps available on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. The report comes at a time when big tech companies are already under pressure over how artificial intelligence tools are being used to exploit women and children online.

The investigation found 55 apps on Google Play and 47 apps on Apple’s App Store that can strip clothing from women in photos or videos. Some apps turn women fully nude. Others put them in bikinis or underwear. Many of these apps are easy to find by simply searching words like “nudify” or “undress” in app store search bars.

According to data cited in the report, these apps have been downloaded more than 705 million times worldwide and have earned about $117 million in revenue. Apple and Google take a percentage of this money, which means both companies are directly profiting from apps that create nonconsensual sexual images.

This is despite both companies having rules that clearly ban such content. Google’s policies prohibit apps that claim to undress people or show sexual nudity. Apple’s guidelines say apps should not produce content that is offensive, disturbing, or sexually explicit. Yet the report shows these apps passed review and remained available.

The Tech Transparency Project tested many of the apps using fake images created by AI. Even with free features, the apps were able to turn fully clothed women into nude or sexualised images within seconds. In some cases, the apps were rated as suitable for children as young as nine or were marked as appropriate for all ages.

Some apps allowed users to remove clothes with a single tap. Others let users type simple instructions like asking the person in the photo to take off their clothes. The apps did not block these requests or show warnings.

After the report was shared with Apple and Google, both companies took action. Apple told CNBC it removed 28 apps and warned developers of others. Google said it suspended and later removed more than 30 apps during a review. Still, the Tech Transparency Project said many similar apps remain available.

The issue has grown more urgent after recent controversy involving AI tools being used to undress women and even children online. Regulators in the United States and Europe are now paying closer attention.

The report argues that the problem is not limited to one app or one company. It says Apple and Google are failing to properly enforce their own rules and are allowing tools that can easily be used to harass, abuse, or humiliate women.

In short, while tech companies promise safety, this investigation shows a large gap between what they say and what their app stores allow.