Science & Tech · AI · 1 hr ago
More than 400 everyday-looking apps hid abusive deepfake tools
An investigation found more than 400 connected apps and domains that appeared to offer ordinary services, such as pet portraits or workout coaching.
The network’s apps were available in Apple’s App Store and Google Play, and appeared to be run by Chinese developers and a Hong Kong-registered company.
Under certain conditions, an app could switch from its advertised service to a hidden tool that made explicit images and videos from photos users uploaded.
Some templates depicted sexual assault or threats with a knife, raising the risk that people could be humiliated or threatened with abusive images.
The apps were promoted through thousands of video ads on Facebook and Instagram, and users could pay to create deepfakes.
Apple removed 19 apps after receiving details of the investigation, while Meta said it acted against more than 10,000 related ad accounts.
Apple said developers changed content after approval, and it had recently strengthened protections against this tactic; the investigation does not say what further action Google will take.
A WIRED investigation found more than 400 connected apps and domains that can hide tools for generating sexually abusive and violent deepfakes.
The apps often present themselves as ordinary services, but can load a web interface for making explicit images and videos from uploaded photos.
Researchers linked the network to Chinese developers and a Hong Kong-registered entity, KeLing Technology Limited.
The apps appeared in Apple’s App Store and Google Play, while related ads ran on Facebook and Instagram.
Apple removed 19 apps after WIRED shared details, and Meta said it acted against more than 10,000 related ad accounts.
- Who
- The network appears to involve Chinese developers and Hong Kong-registered KeLing Technology Limited. Researchers and the platforms Apple, Google, and Meta are also involved.
- What
- More than 400 connected apps and domains can conceal tools for generating sexually abusive and violent deepfakes.
- When
- WIRED published its investigation on November 2, 2026. The network appears to have been publishing apps for around a year.
- Where
- The apps were available in Apple’s App Store and Google Play; ads appeared on Facebook and Instagram.
- Why
- The apps’ apparent purpose was to let users create explicit AI images and videos from uploaded photos.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
The network appears to have been publishing apps, sometimes dozens per week.
Researchers investigated links from thousands of video ads on Facebook and Instagram and discovered the network.
Apple removed 19 apps.
WIRED published its investigation, followed by 9to5Mac’s report.
- Connected apps and domains
- More than 400
- App store availability
- Apple’s App Store and Google Play
- Apple removals
- 19 apps
- Meta action
- More than 10,000 ad accounts
- Linked entity
- KeLing Technology Limited
- Investigation outlet
- WIRED
3 sources
What people are saying
This is an organized, commercially run operation: One operator behind hundreds of disposable apps and domains, cloaked to pass App Store review and pushed through tens of thousands of Meta ads under fake payer names.
They don’t expect enforcement to catch up, and so far it hasn’t.
We review every app before it’s published, and these apps complied with our rules when we reviewed them.
After approval, their developers changed the website the app pulls its content from, replacing what we approved with pornographic content, and promoted it through pornographic ads hosted on a third-party platform.