Nudification' apps have states 'scrambling' to hold big tech accountable

Nudification apps are prompting states to tighten oversight after Minnesota enacted the nation's first ban. In Pennsylvania, Republican Sen. Tracy Pennycuick introduced a bill to ban the distribution of nudification apps. The controversial tools, marketed as simply bringing photos to life or switching faces, have appeared on Google and Apple stores and have been linked to incidents such as a Radnor Township high school case involving Movely. The Tech Transparency Project notes that many states are scrambling for solutions as AI harms proliferate, urging a broader approach that targets platform practices rather than individual apps. Advocates argue for guardrails to protect minors as tech platforms monetize in-app purchases up to about 30%.