Meta files lawsuit against maker of “nudify” app technology

Meta announced on Thursday that it is taking legal action against an app developer that utilizes artificial intelligence to create simulated nude images of individuals who are fully clothed in photos. The tech giant filed a lawsuit in Hong Kong against Joy Timeline HK Limited, the company behind the CrushAI app, in an effort to prevent them from advertising their apps on Meta platforms.

In a statement, Meta emphasized the seriousness of the issue and their dedication to protecting their community from such abuses. The company stated, “We’ll continue to take necessary steps — which could include legal action — against those who abuse our platforms like this.” The legal action was taken after Joy Timeline allegedly attempted to bypass Meta’s ad review process multiple times.

Despite Meta’s strict policies against “non-consensual intimate imagery,” ads for apps like CrushAI have been appearing on their Facebook and Instagram platforms. These apps claim to use AI technology to allow users to upload photos and “see anyone naked.” Meta has taken steps to remove these ads, delete associated pages, and block websites linked to the apps.

Additionally, Meta announced that they will be sharing information about entities that violate their policies with other tech companies through the Tech Coalition’s Lantern Program. This program tracks behaviors that go against child safety rules, and Meta has already provided information on over 3,800 sites since March.

To combat advertisers of nudify apps who try to evade detection on their platforms, Meta has enhanced their technology to identify such ads disguised as benign content. The company has expanded their list of safety-related terms, phrases, and emojis that their systems can detect in these ads.

Emmet Lyons contributed to this report, and Megan Cerullo, a New York-based reporter for CBS MoneyWatch, covered the story. She specializes in small business, workplace, healthcare, consumer spending, and personal finance topics and regularly appears on CBS News 24/7 for discussions related to her reporting.

Overall, Meta’s legal action against Joy Timeline and their efforts to combat the promotion of AI-generated nude images reflect their commitment to ensuring a safe and secure online environment for their users.