No. TikTok’s reported response did not declare the sexual deepfake promotions legal. Spokesperson Zachary Kizer said the examples shared with the company appeared to be user-uploaded content and a profile page, and that TikTok could not find them running as ads.
What the report attributed to Copyleaks
In a report published November 4, 2026, the New York Post said Copyleaks had identified nearly 50 App Store apps that could generate sexually explicit deepfakes. The Post also reported that virtually all were promoted through TikTok ads. Those findings were attributed to Copyleaks.
NeoTeo previously covered a separate investigation into apps that could conceal abusive deepfake tools.
TikTok’s response to the examples
Kizer said TikTok removed one of the three videos shared with the company and labeled the other two to limit their distribution. The response addressed how TikTok classified and moderated those examples; it did not make a legal determination about them.
Apple’s reported removals
Apple separately told the New York Post that it had removed three apps cited in the Copyleaks report on July 29.
