Key facts
- Apple updated App Store guidelines to ban apps using AI for offensive content.
- Apps must filter objectionable material and allow users to report offensive content.
- Apps with hidden features, like 'nudification,' are prohibited.
- Apple removed 193,000 developer accounts for fraud and abuse last year.
- San Francisco ordered Apple and Google to remove nudification apps in July.
Apple has tightened its App Store developer guidelines over the weekend to prohibit apps that utilize AI to generate offensive content or employ a 'bait-and-switch' tactic. The company's updated rules mandate that apps hosting user-generated content must implement filters for objectionable material, provide users with reporting mechanisms, and allow for the blocking of abusive accounts. Apps found to have hidden or undocumented features, such as 'nudification' capabilities that are only revealed after approval, will be removed from the App Store. Apple also reinforced its stance against apps promoting human trafficking and child exploitation. Last year, Apple's review process blocked over 150,000 apps and removed 193,000 developer accounts due to fraud and abuse. This action follows a July order from San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu, who urged Apple and Google to clean up their app stores, accusing them of profiting from nudification apps.