Apple updated the App Store application review rules and introduced new bans against software that creates fake images with artificial intelligence. This regulation aims to prevent the production and sharing of sexual or nude images without people's permission.
The new rules also include sanctions against developers who do not prevent the production of such content. Tougher rules have also come into force for software that secretly adds new features after passing application review.
With the update announced by Apple on October 16, three basic changes were made within the scope of the App Store Review Guidelines. While the company reminded that applications that produce pornographic content are already prohibited, it added new security obligations to the existing rules.
The updated content moderation rule 1.2 brings new responsibilities to applications that host user-generated content. Developers must proactively block sexually explicit images created without people's consent and remove such content detected on their platforms.
The regulation also clearly includes fake images prepared with artificial intelligence. Application developers will no longer be content to take action only after receiving a complaint.
Apple announced that developers who do not implement adequate security measures or do not make the necessary corrections despite notifications of violations may be removed from the App Store. The ability of users to report harmful content and block abusive accounts is also among the current obligations of the platform.
The second part of the changes includes measures taken against applications misleading Apple's review system. The updated rule 2.5.19 explicitly prohibits developers from adding different functionality to the application they submitted during review after receiving approval.
In this context, applications that seem harmless at first, but later gain features that make people's clothes look like they have been removed by artificial intelligence, are discussed. With the method called bait-and-switch in English, the real functions of the application can be hidden during the review process.
Apple may remove the software from the store if features not included in the approved version are added later or if the functions of the application are changed. Apple Developer Program memberships of violating developers may also be terminated.
The change made in the fifth section of the App Store rules covers applications that facilitate human trafficking and exploitation of children. Applications containing material containing child sexual abuse will be removed from the App Store.
Apple will also prevent these apps from being offered through alternative app distribution channels. The new rules follow criticism of Apple over artificial intelligence-generated fake sexual content throughout the year.
In particular, the creation of sexualized fake images without people's consent using Grok, the artificial intelligence tool of the X platform, caused serious reactions. Despite the controversy, Apple did not remove the X and Grok applications from the App Store.
In its response to US senators, the company stated that it warned that Grok could be removed from the App Store. At the WWDC 2026 event held in June, protesters asked Apple to remove applications that use Grok, X and similar rendering technologies from its store.
In July, San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu sent notices to Apple and Google, demanding the removal of a total of 13 applications that can create nude images without people's permission. Apple confirmed that it removed three of the apps in question and began the process of shutting down their developer accounts.
Google also removed the five Android applications reported to it from the Play Store. With the new regulation, Apple also shared its data regarding application review processes.
Last year, the company blocked more than 150 thousand applications with security problems from reaching users. Memberships of more than 193 thousand developer accounts were also terminated due to fraudulent and abusive activities.
In the company's statement, it was stated that some developers enabled malicious features after the application was approved, and in some cases, these attempts were carried out as part of coordinated fraud activities. The updated App Store rules clearly define sanctions for removing applications that serve harmful content through these methods and the accounts that develop them.
