Meta is Taking Action Against ‘Nudify’ Apps

The rise of “nudify” apps—tools that use AI to generate fake, sexually explicit images without consent—is alarming, invasive, and deeply harmful. Meta has had strict rules against non-consensual intimate imagery for years, but with the growth of these apps across the internet, the company is stepping up its enforcement in a major way.

In an effort to protect users and help stop the spread of these abusive tools, Meta is expanding its efforts beyond its platforms—through legal action, technology updates, and collaboration with other tech companies.

Illustration of screens and text with caution signs on top | Threadsaver.in

Taking Legal Action Against CrushAI

Meta has filed a lawsuit in Hong Kong against Joy Timeline HK Limited, the company behind CrushAI—a suite of nudify apps that promote AI-generated nude images of people without their consent. The legal filing aims to block the company from advertising on Meta’s platforms and hold them accountable for repeated violations of Meta’s advertising policies.

Despite prior enforcement, the company continued to circumvent Meta’s ad review systems, pushing inappropriate ads that clearly violate community standards. This legal step sends a clear message: Meta will pursue aggressive action against anyone abusing its platforms in this way.

Cracking Down Across the Internet

But removing these apps from one platform isn't enough. Meta is now sharing data with other tech companies through the Tech Coalition’s Lantern program. This includes over 3,800 URLs linked to nudify apps and services, helping other platforms take down the same harmful content more effectively.

Meta has already used this approach to flag issues related to child safety—like sextortion—and this update extends that collaboration to tackle non-consensual AI-generated imagery.

Smarter Tech to Catch Evolving Threats

Those behind nudify apps are constantly trying to evade detection—from hiding behind generic ad imagery to quickly switching domain names. In response, Meta is introducing new technologies to catch these bad actors, even when ads don’t contain visible nudity.

Some of these tools include:

Pattern detection that finds copycat ads and evasive tactics
Expanded lists of flagged terms, emojis, and phrases commonly used in these ads
Adversarial ad monitoring, inspired by how Meta tracks coordinated inauthentic behavior

Since the beginning of the year, Meta’s investigative teams have identified and dismantled four ad networks pushing nudify services across its platforms.

Supporting Stronger Laws

While technology plays a big role, Meta believes effective legislation is also critical. That’s why the company supported the U.S. TAKE IT DOWN Act, a bipartisan effort to address intimate image abuse—whether real or AI-generated.

Meta also advocates for laws that give parents more oversight into what apps their teens try to download, helping prevent exposure to harmful nudify apps right at the source.

A Unified Effort for Safer Online Spaces

Meta’s recent steps mark a broader commitment to making the internet safer and more respectful—especially for those targeted by AI-generated abuse. Whether it's through legal pressure, smarter detection tools, or collaboration with other tech companies, the goal is clear: stop the spread of these harmful apps and support those affected.

Takeaways

Meta has filed a lawsuit against CrushAI’s parent company, targeting repeated policy violations.
The company is now sharing URLs and app data with other tech companies to combat nudify apps across platforms.
New detection tech helps Meta catch ads even when nudity isn’t visible and identify evasive ad networks.
Meta supports legislation like the TAKE IT DOWN Act and new laws that let parents manage teen app access.