On October 16, 2026, Apple announced revisions to its App Review Guidelines: it clarified the safeguards for apps that let users contribute content and added a guideline clarifying its longstanding policy against hidden features. The rules set requirements for covered apps and prohibit certain content and concealed functionality; they do not automatically ban every AI app capable of generating nude images. Apple’s update notice

What section 1.2 requires

Apple’s section 1.2 explicitly includes AI content-creation apps among apps that let users create, generate, upload, share, or otherwise contribute content. It requires those apps to filter objectionable material, provide a way to report it and respond in a timely manner, let users block abusive users, and publish contact information. Apple’s App Review Guidelines

That scope matters for apps associated with AI-generated intimate imagery: Apple identifies nonconsensual intimate imagery as a risk for user-generated-content apps, then sets safeguards for covered apps. Separately, Apple says apps primarily used for pornography, objectifying real people, or certain other abusive experiences do not belong on the App Store and may be removed without notice. The rules focus on an app’s content and purpose, alongside its safeguards—not on a blanket prohibition of every AI image generator.

Apple also says developers may violate its Developer Code of Conduct if they fail to implement appropriate safeguards or to remediate identified violations after notice. The guidelines describe a remediation process and say egregious or repeated behavior can result in immediate removal. Apple’s App Review Guidelines

Guideline 2.5.19 addresses hidden features

The revised guidelines added section 2.5.19 to clarify Apple’s longstanding policy against hidden, dormant, or undocumented features. Apple said the policy had previously been covered by guideline 2.3.1. The guideline says app functionality should be clear to users and App Review. Apple’s update notice Apple’s App Review Guidelines

Attempting to conceal undocumented features in an app binary—including through code obfuscation—can lead to the app’s removal from the App Store and termination of the developer account. That rule concerns hidden functionality; section 1.2 sets content safeguards for apps that let users contribute material. Apple’s update treats them as distinct provisions.