The BaseNewsThe Guardian

US teens can access ‘nudify’ apps despite Apple and Google’s parental controls, report finds

According to the excerpt, The Guardian reports exclusively that the Tech Transparency Project, using test accounts posing as 13-year-olds, downloaded 135 apps able to generate nonconsensual nude images despite Apple and Google parental controls. It also describes a Pennsylvania case involving a student and classmates' photos.

Open the source ↗

Why it matters

The same thing, for different readers.

What it means for you

Test accounts posing as 13-year-olds could download 135 apps that make fake nude images, even with Apple and Google parental controls on.

For lawmakers

The Tech Transparency Project's test raises the question of whether Apple and Google should be held responsible for app store controls that fail to block nudify apps for minors.

For researchers

The Tech Transparency Project's account-based test is a direct measurement of app store age controls, though only the headline count is visible here.

How the finding was reached

In our words, from the source. Weigh the finding by how it was made.

What was done
Test accounts set up as 13-year-olds were used to download apps with features that generate nonconsensual nude imagery.
What it found
The Tech Transparency Project downloaded 135 such apps despite Apple and Google parental controls, per the Guardian excerpt.
What it does not show
Only the excerpt was read; app selection, platform split and company responses are not known.
Status
A report

The record

Questions
How is AI changing childhood, health and daily life? · Are AI companies putting stronger safeguards into practice?
People
Johana Bhuiyan (Wrote it)
What we read
We have read only the description the publisher gives. No quotations until someone reads the source itself.
Found by
The Radar, run of October 20, 2026, via the-guardian-ai (tier 2: a major outlet’s own reporting)
Cite this
The Guardian, “US teens can access ‘nudify’ apps despite Apple and Google’s parental controls, report finds”, October 19, 2026. Entry in the Ctrl AI Base, https://ctrlai.com/base/guardian-2026-10-19-teens-nudify-apps-parental-controls
Our notesLight lane: excerpt only. Apple's and Google's responses are unknown.