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Apple and Google Hit With Demand to Pull AI 'Nudify' Apps [Updated]

18 July 2026 at 21:19
A San Francisco City Attorney has sent cease-and-desist letters to Apple and Google demanding the removal of 13 AI "face-swap" apps that can generate nonconsensual nude images, according to WIRED.


The letters, sent on Thursday, target eight apps on the App Store and five on the Play Store that market themselves as face-swapping tools but are used to "undress" photos of real people. The attorney's office wants both companies to cut ties with the developers and stop taking a cut of in-app payments, arguing they are effectively "aiding and abetting" the sale of explicit deepfake images. The attorney called the practice "illegal, harmful, and completely unacceptable" and believes Apple and Google have collected millions in fees from the apps.

Both companies have developer rules against pornography and have removed batches of nudify apps in the past after being flagged by researchers. A Google spokesperson told WIRED that the company has deleted "hundreds" of apps with nudifying features for policy violations, including the five named in the letters. In June, it emerged that Apple had already tightened its ‌App Store‌ guideline language on developer responsibility for pornographic content.

Update: Apple told MacRumors that it takes reports of apps against its guidelines seriously. Apple applies App Review Guidelines to all developers, which include specific provisions to prohibit overtly sexual or pornographic content. As such, "nudificiation" apps are against its guidelines and the company has proactively rejected and removed many such apps, including when they have been flagged by users.

The App Store was designed to be a safe and trusted place for users, and we have always strictly prohibited apps designed to generate, distribute, or consume pornography. "Nudification" apps are against our App Review Guidelines and we have proactively rejected many of these apps and removed many others, including when users have flagged them via our reporting tools. We have removed three of the apps in question and are in the process of terminating their developer accounts from our program. We are in contact with four others that need to address policy violations or risk being removed as well.


Users can go to reportaproblem.apple.com to report illegal, offensive, or abusive content, as well as scam or fraud on the ‌App Store‌.
Tags: Google, Wired

This article, "Apple and Google Hit With Demand to Pull AI 'Nudify' Apps [Updated]" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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EU Orders Google to Give Rival AI Apps the Same Android Access as Gemini

17 July 2026 at 19:27
The European Commission today formally ordered Google to give third-party AI services the same access to Android device features that Gemini has. Europe's Digital Markets Act requires software makers like Apple and Google to grant equal interoperability to third-party apps and services, and the EC is enforcing it.


DMA interoperability rules are why Siri AI won't be available in the European Union when iOS 27 launches. While Apple tried to work out an agreement with regulators before launching ‌Siri‌ AI in Europe, Google did the opposite. Instead of asking, Google just launched Gemini integration on Android and opted to deal with the consequences afterward. Google's strategy gives Android users in Europe full Gemini access while it works on compliance with the DMA.

The European Commission is giving Google a full year to implement changes that will meet the Digital Markets Act requirements, and that's before any legal appeals Google might make.

The European Commission is making many of the same demands of Google that it made of Apple. Google must allow AI apps to access 11 features, such as:

  • AI services must be accessible through voice commands like "Hey Google" or through access points like the home button or another activation button.

  • AI services must be able to complete actions in and across apps, including completing long-running tasks in the background.

  • Google must allow AI services to access context from apps and device sensors so AI can offer proactive services and anticipate user needs.

  • Google has to give AI apps sufficient hardware and software resources, including access to its on-device AI models to execute tasks.


Google is required to implement the majority of the European Commission's changes by August 1, 2027.

Shortly after announcing ‌Siri‌ AI, Apple said EU regulators would not accept any of its proposed solutions to introduce the feature, and refused to engage on options that "preserve privacy and security." Apple wanted to use a Trusted System Agent that would allow third-party virtual assistants to safely access the same device capabilities as ‌Siri‌ AI.

Apple said the Digital Markets Act would require it to give any AI system "nearly unlimited access to a user's device," along with the ability to act on that information autonomously.

The European Commission claims Apple was "unable to develop interoperability solutions that meet essential EU privacy and security standards" and instead asked for a blanket exemption from the interoperability requirements, which the EC did not grant.

In response to the EC's mandate, Google said the requirements "risk undermining vital privacy and security guardrails for millions of Europeans." Google hasn't given information on its next steps, but it says it plans to "continue advocating for a balanced approach that protects privacy and security while supporting market goals."
This article, "EU Orders Google to Give Rival AI Apps the Same Android Access as Gemini" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Google Search Now Connects to Instacart, Canva and YouTube Music

17 July 2026 at 19:27
Google is expanding AI Mode in Search, allowing users to connect apps to improve search results and "get more done."


Instacart, YouTube Music, and Canva can be connected, and Google explains how the integrations can be useful:

  • Instacart - If you're using AI Mode to help you plan a grocery list, ingredients can be added right to an Instacart shopping cart for quick ordering.

  • Canva - If you're creating a flyer, you can get template options from Canva.

  • YouTube Music - You can use AI Mode to curate a playlist and save it to YouTube Music.


Instacart, Canva, and YouTube Music are the only apps that can be connected right now, but Google may add more in the future. Connected apps were previously available in Gemini, but the feature set is now being expanded to Search.

Connecting apps is limited to AI Mode in the United States, in English. Once an app is connected, users are able to access new features when making a request in Google Search AI Mode. Connected apps can be used in Search both on the desktop and through the Google Search iOS app.

Google suggests users turn on history and personalized recommendations to improve the Google Search experience. Google says it uses people's interactions with Search and the new AI features to develop and improve generative AI experiences.
Tag: Google

This article, "Google Search Now Connects to Instacart, Canva and YouTube Music" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Europa, il DMA obbliga Google ad aprire Android e i dati di Search ai rivali dell'AI

16 July 2026 at 14:40

Google dovrà consentire a OpenAI e agli altri concorrenti nel settore dell’intelligenza artificiale di accedere ad alcune funzioni di Android e a una parte dei dati utilizzati per migliorare il motore di ricerca. La Commissione europea ha definito nel dettaglio gli obblighi previsti dal Digital Markets Act, dopo una procedura avviata sei mesi fa. Bruxelles vuole ridurre il vantaggio di cui Google dispone sia nella ricerca online sia nei servizi AI, favorendo la crescita di alternative a Search e Gemini e ampliando le possibilità di scelta per gli utenti europei.

PIÙ ACCESSO AD ANDROID

Google dovrà aprire agli assistenti AI concorrenti undici funzioni di Android. Questo permetterà ai servizi rivali di interagire più direttamente con lo smartphone e di svolgere operazioni che oggi sono più facilmente accessibili a Gemini. Un assistente diverso da quello di Google potrà essere richiamato con un comando vocale, in maniera simile a “Hey Google”, e utilizzare alcune funzioni del telefono per cercare informazioni su luoghi, avviare attività o prenotare un taxi.

Le novità dovrebbero arrivare da luglio del 2027 con la prossima versione di Android.
Google potrà comunque controllare che i servizi interessati rispettino i requisiti previsti per la sicurezza informatica e la protezione dei dati prima di concedere l’accesso. La Commissione ritiene che le garanzie introdotte siano sufficienti a proteggere utenti e dispositivi. Le undici funzioni non saranno quindi aperte indistintamente a tutte le aziende, ma solo a quelle che supereranno le verifiche richieste.

DATI RICERCA ANCHE A OPENAI E ALTRI CONCORRENTI

Dal prossimo gennaio, Google dovrà rendere disponibile anche una parte dei dati utilizzati per migliorare i propri servizi di ricerca. Potranno accedervi OpenAI e gli altri servizi AI che integrano funzioni di ricerca sul web. Le informazioni dovranno essere anonimizzate e serviranno ai concorrenti per migliorare la qualità dei risultati. Per la Commissione, l’accesso a questi dati può ridurre almeno in parte la distanza da Google, che può contare sulle informazioni raccolte in anni di utilizzo del proprio motore di ricerca.

Google potrà esaminare le richieste e bloccare l’accesso qualora rilevi rischi per la cybersicurezza o la protezione dei dati. Bruxelles ha previsto anche una formula per stabilire il prezzo che le aziende interessate dovranno pagare.

“Grazie a queste misure speriamo di vedere emergere alternative a Google Search e ai servizi AI di Google, come Gemini, e che gli utenti nell’Unione europea possano beneficiare di una scelta più ampia”, ha dichiarato Henna Virkkunen, vicepresidente esecutiva della Commissione europea con delega alla sovranità tecnologica.


Il miglior iPhone di sempre? Apple iPhone 17 Pro, compralo al miglior prezzo da Digitalparadise.it a 1,073 euro.

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Google ordered to open Android and Search to rivals in Europe

16 July 2026 at 13:06

Google must give rival AI assistants and search engines greater access to key parts of Android and Google Search after the European Union ordered the company to comply with the bloc's digital antitrust rules.

The two decisions, handed down Thursday, could weaken Google's control over two of the tech industry's most important platforms and have far-reaching consequences for the company, shape the future of its AI tool Gemini, and open up new opportunities for rivals to gain ground. Google has until January 2027 to begin sharing search data and July 2027 to implement changes to Android.

The rulings stem from technical regulatory proceedings …

Read the full story at The Verge.

Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 è disponibile per i Pixel: ecco cosa cambia

16 July 2026 at 11:55

A quindici giorni dalla precedente release, Google avvia il rilascio di Android 17 QPR1 Beta 7 per i Pixel. La build con la sigla CP31.260623.005 è disponibile per tutti i dispositivi che hanno ricevuto la release precedente e ha un changelog piuttosto corto, composto esclusivamente da fix. Ecco l’elenco dei cambiamenti distribuito da Google:

  • La funzione "Condivisione batteria" dei Quick settings non riusciva ad avviare la ricarica o visualizzava ripetutamente (in loop, ndr) l'animazione di ricarica. ( Problema n. 476443126 , Problema n. 477627747 , Problema n. 480701245, Problema n . 484322291 , Problema n. 488473799 , Problema n. 501729379 , Problema n. 500638463 )
  • Disattivando il Wi-Fi si creava uno spazio vuoto tra le icone della batteria e dei dati mobili nella barra di stato dei Quick settings. ( Problema n. 517178332 )
  • Un arresto anomalo nel controller delle dimensioni del carattere dei Quick settings impediva agli utenti di regolare le dimensioni del testo tramite il pannello di accesso rapido. ( Problema n. 531915405 , Problema n. 530312544 ).

Le uniche novità, quindi, a giudicare dal changelog, sono quelle sopra. Al rilascio di Beta 6, con il raggiungimento della Platform Stability, spiegavamo come lo sviluppo dell’aggiornamento fosse ormai in fase avanzata, e con il rollout delle scorse ore che aggiunge un ulteriore tassello questo è ancor più vero. La release definitiva, stabile, di Android 17 QPR1, insomma, è ancora più vicina, malgrado il rollout, va detto, non dovrebbe essere questione di giorni.

La beta è disponibile tramite Android Beta Program per Pixel 6 e modelli più recenti. Per quanto più stabile che in passato, rimane una versione di test, quindi meglio evitare l’installazione sullo smartphone principale a meno che non si accetti il rischio di bug o instabilità. Google non ha ancora indicato una data per il rilascio pubblico di Android 17 QPR1, ma con la Platform Stability e un’ulteriore release - questa - la distribuzione non dovrebbe essere troppo lontana. Secondo le ipotesi circolate finora, il periodo più probabile resta settembre.


Il miglior iPhone di sempre? Apple iPhone 17 Pro, compralo al miglior prezzo da Digitalparadise.it a 1,073 euro.

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Google abre Play Store a lojas de apps de terceiros nos Estados Unidos a partir deste mês

16 July 2026 at 11:42

A Google e a Epic Games retiraram esta semana o acordo que tinham alcançado para alterar uma decisão judicial nos Estados Unidos. A gigante tecnológica terá agora de abrir a Play Store a lojas de aplicações de terceiros a partir de 22 de julho.

The post Google abre Play Store a lojas de apps de terceiros nos Estados Unidos a partir deste mês appeared first on Tek Notícias.

Google Rolls Out Gemini in Chrome to Millions of UK Users

15 July 2026 at 21:50
Google is rolling out Gemini in Chrome to UK users, adding cross-tab summaries, Google service integrations, image tools, and new privacy questions.

Third-party app stores coming to Google Play next week as Epic settlement withdrawn

15 July 2026 at 17:55

Big changes are coming to Android apps, but they're not the changes Google wanted. The settlement between Google and Epic that aimed to put to rest the companies' long-running antitrust battle is being withdrawn, and that means third-party app stores are coming to the Play Store. Google has confirmed that it will begin distributing rival app stores next week, setting the stage for competing platforms to take a bite out of Google's Android revenue stream.

This case has the potential to upend software distribution on Android, and it's all because of V-Bucks. In 2020, Epic Games was frustrated that it had to pay a 30 percent cut to Apple and Google every time someone bought a bundle of V-Bucks in a mobile version of Fortnite. The publisher added a direct purchase option to the game in violation of both Apple's and Google's rules. Naturally, Fortnite was pulled from the App Store and Google Play, kicking off the antitrust lawsuit that is only now reaching its conclusion.

While Apple suffered little penalty in its Epic case, Google was tripped up by its anti-competitive management of the supposedly open Android ecosystem. Google used its market position to discourage device makers from promoting or pre-loading non-Google app stores and attempted to hide that conduct. The remedies set by Judge James Donato included lower fees, mirroring Google Play apps in other stores, and most vitally, placement of alternative app stores in Google Play.

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© Getty Images | Kirill Kudryavtsev

Third-party app stores coming to Google Play next week as Epic settlement withdrawn

15 July 2026 at 17:55

Big changes are coming to Android apps, but they're not the changes Google wanted. The settlement between Google and Epic that aimed to put to rest the companies' long-running antitrust battle is being withdrawn, and that means third-party app stores are coming to the Play Store. Google has confirmed that it will begin distributing rival app stores next week, setting the stage for competing platforms to take a bite out of Google's Android revenue stream.

This case has the potential to upend software distribution on Android, and it's all because of V-Bucks. In 2020, Epic Games was frustrated that it had to pay a 30 percent cut to Apple and Google every time someone bought a bundle of V-Bucks in a mobile version of Fortnite. The publisher added a direct purchase option to the game in violation of both Apple's and Google's rules. Naturally, Fortnite was pulled from the App Store and Google Play, kicking off the antitrust lawsuit that is only now reaching its conclusion.

While Apple suffered little penalty in its Epic case, Google was tripped up by its anti-competitive management of the supposedly open Android ecosystem. Google used its market position to discourage device makers from promoting or pre-loading non-Google app stores and attempted to hide that conduct. The remedies set by Judge James Donato included lower fees, mirroring Google Play apps in other stores, and most vitally, placement of alternative app stores in Google Play.

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© Getty Images | Kirill Kudryavtsev

DeepMind CEO seeks US standards body for frontier AI

15 July 2026 at 09:38

Google DeepMind CEO Demis Hassabis called for the establishment of a new US-led regulatory framework to govern frontier AI, proposing a self-regulatory structure which could bypass political opposition.

In a post on X, Hassabis warned the breakneck pace of commercial and geopolitical competition is currently outstripping the industry’s understanding of the technology.

He noted the arrival of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is likely only a few short years away.

To address looming technical, biological, and cybersecurity risks without stifling innovation, Hassabis proposed creating a new US standards body.

He modelled it after a self-regulatory organisation like the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), rather than a traditional government agency.

The structural choice comes amid heavy resistance to AI regulation from the tech industry and shifting policies from the Trump administration.

The FINRA-style blueprint would be staffed by leading technical experts and open-source representatives but primarily funded by the industry to secure the massive compute resources needed for testing.

TechCrunch reported the proposed system would replace the current, highly criticised ad hoc government reviews previously used for models like Anthropic’s Mythos and OpenAI’s Sol.

Those reviews drew fire from industry onlookers for a distinct lack of technical expertise and opaque decision-making, according to the news outlet.

Under Hassabis’s framework, the independent body would define thresholds to classify models as Frontier-Class. Organisations behind them, dubbed Frontier Labs, would eventually be required to pass the independent assessments to deploy in the US market.

Hassabis stated assessments would check for advanced threats, deception, and guardrail bypass attempts. The standards body could also outsource specific evaluations to a growing ecosystem of independent, third-party AI safety groups.

He argued the approach is designed to keep up with AI’s acceleration, allowing the industry to safely steer toward an era of scientific abundance while addressing the Trump administration’s concern over state-mandated red tape.

The post DeepMind CEO seeks US standards body for frontier AI appeared first on Mobile World Live.

Book publishers sue Google for copyright infringement over Gemini AI training

14 July 2026 at 19:16

Group of major publishers accuses the tech giant of ‘one of the most prolific infringements of copyrighted materials in history’

A group of major publishers have filed a lawsuit against Google, accusing the company of illegally using millions of copyrighted books to help build its Gemini artificial intelligence models, in “one of the most prolific infringements of copyrighted materials in history”.

The case, filed in federal court in New York, has been brought by three publishers – Hachette Book Group, Cengage Learning, and Elsevier – and bestselling American author Scott Turow.

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© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

© Photograph: Bloomberg/Getty Images

Google faces Swiss antitrust probe over search defaults

14 July 2026 at 11:33

Switzerland’s competition authority launched a preliminary antitrust investigation into Google after it scrapped a search engine selection feature for Swiss users setting up Android devices.

In a statement, the country’s Secretariat of the Competition Commission (COMCO) accused Google of discontinuing the Android Choice Screen feature for users in Switzerland while continuing to offer it in the European Economic Area (EEA).

The screen allows users to select their preferred default search engine during the initial setup of a new Android device.

Swiss users are apparently now presented with Google Search as the default option without being shown the Choice Screen. The watchdog argued this could strengthen the search giant’s position by reducing the visibility of rival providers and “reinforcing barriers to entry” at a critical stage of device setup.

The Choice Screen is designed to reduce “the lock-in effects associated with preconfigured settings”, noting default settings “play a decisive role” in digital markets, the regulator stated.

The watchdog flagged broader competition concerns, stating the change “could affect the ability of search engine providers and, more broadly, other digital service providers to compete”.

A further point of concern for COMCO was the continued availability of the feature in the EEA, arguing the disparity “creates an unequal treatment…even though the competitive issues are comparable”.

Wider assessment
The preliminary investigation will determine whether Google’s conduct breaches Switzerland’s Cartel Act, under which COMCO can impose administrative fines of up to 10% of a company’s Swiss turnover over the previous three years.

“We look forward to cooperating fully with the authority to address ​their questions,” a Google spokesperson told Reuters.

While the probe is focused on Android, the watchdog added its findings “could also be relevant to the assessment of practices related to default settings on other mobile devices”.

Early this year, the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) opened a similar antitrust investigation into Google’s mobile ecosystem over concerns the company used its market power to set up barriers against rival services and favour their own products.

The post Google faces Swiss antitrust probe over search defaults appeared first on Mobile World Live.

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