Nudify apps are hiding in plain sight on the Apple App Store and Google Play Store

TL;DR Researchers uncovered a network of over 400 ‘nudify’ apps and websites on the Play Store and App Store. These apps masquerade as innocent tools and reveal a hidden deepfake interface after installation. The apps were traced back to Chinese developers and Hong Kong-based KeLing Technology Limited. Apple and Google often talk about the strict guidelines that apps need to follow in order to be allowed on their stores. However, every few months, new reports emerge of harmful apps making their way onto both the Play Store and the App Store. Apps like the fake Chrome browser spotted last month are concerning enough, but Google and Apple have a much bigger, more alarming problem on their hands with “nudify” apps. Earlier this year, around 38 “nudify” apps were found on the App Store and Play Store , accounting for a combined 483 million downloads and $122 million in revenue. Now, Wired has uncovered that there may be several hundred more. What’s worse is that they are now masquerading as innocent services, such as language tutoring, AI-based pet photo editing, and workout coaching apps.