Apple has tightened its App Store rules to stop apps from making intimate images of people without their consent. The changes also target AI tools that can create fake nude images of real people. Apple wants developers to take steps to stop this content from being made and shared. Apps that fail to follow the rules may be removed from the App Store. The company has also made it clear that developers cannot hide harmful features during review and switch them on after approval.
The new rules focus on apps often called ‘nudify’ tools. These apps use AI to make fake sexual images of real people without their permission. According to reports, the revised Section 1.2 that covers user-generated content now states that apps allowing users to “create, generate, upload, share, or otherwise contribute content present particular challenges, including intellectual property infringement, nonconsensual intimate imagery, and anonymous bullying.”
The guidelines further added, “Developers who fail to implement appropriate safeguards or fail to remediate identified violations after notice may be considered in violation of the Developer Code of Conduct.”
Apple already had rules against apps that create sexual images of real people without consent. The latest changes put more focus on how apps handle content made or shared by users. Developers must take steps to stop harmful images from spreading and act when users report them. If they ignore these duties, Apple could remove their apps. This gives Apple more ways to act against apps that try to get around its checks.
Also Read: How to Tell If an Image is AI-Generated: 6 Signs to Check
Why One App Review May Not be Enough
The risk doesn’t stop with a single app review. Initially, an app may look safe, but it may turn into a harmful one after the safety check is over. Developers can turn on hidden features once approval comes. Therefore, an app that initially looked like a photo editor may turn into an AI app to generate sexual images of people without their consent. This is one way an app can mislead the review team.
The problem is that apps can change after they are approved. A single review may not catch features added later. Apple’s new rules warn developers that hiding such tools can lead to removal or action against their accounts. The real test will be how well Apple spots these changes and enforces its rules.