Is it safe to use AI 'nudify' apps that remove clothes from photos?

No, using AI 'nudify' apps is not safe and is almost always illegal when used to create non-consensual intimate images of real people. These apps use deep learning to realistically fabricate nude images from a clothed photo. While the technology itself is just a tool, the application is a clear violation of privacy and, in a growing number of places, a specific crime. San Francisco recently filed a landmark lawsuit demanding that app stores remove these apps, calling them a form of image-based sexual abuse. The safety risk isn't just legal. These apps are often a privacy nightmare in themselves. To use one, you typically have to upload a clear photo of a person's face and body to a server you know nothing about. I've seen reports of these apps being fronts for harvesting photos for other malicious uses or embedding malware. You're essentially handing over sensitive data to an anonymous developer with no accountability. A concrete example: in 2024, a high school in California dealt with a crisis when students used such an app to create fake images of classmates, leading to expulsions and a police investigation. The emotional harm was devastating and permanent. The technology can't be undone, but the legal and social consequences for the perpetrator are very real and severe. **Related**: What are deepfakes and how can I spot them? | How can I report an AI-generated image that uses my face?