Meta has finally taken a firm legal step against the developers behind one of the most disturbing AI trends online. 
The company filed a lawsuit in Hong Kong against Joy Timeline HK Limited, the creators of Crush AI-an app designed to create fake explicit images of people using AI, often without consent.
These so-called “nudify” apps have surged in popularity with the rise of generative AI, and Crush AI has been among the worst offenders. According to Meta, the developers went to extreme lengths to spread ads for the app on Facebook and Instagram, violating the platforms’ rules repeatedly.
Despite Meta’s efforts to take down thousands of ads, Joy Timeline allegedly continued pushing Crush AI through new advertiser accounts and domains, effectively gaming the system. In fact, investigative journalist Alexios Mantzarlis reported that in just the first half of January, over 8,000 ads for Crush AI were active on Meta’s platforms. Roughly 90% of the app’s website traffic originated from Facebook and Instagram.
The lawsuit follows mounting pressure from U.S. lawmakers. Back in February, Senator Dick Durbin urged Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg to crack down on the platform’s role in spreading exploitative content, especially ads that featured nudity, sexual activity, and harassment.
In response, Meta has ramped up its internal defenses. The company is now using upgraded detection systems that flag suspicious ads using not just words, but also specific phrases and emojis. Specialized teams are working around the clock to identify new tactics used by app developers to bypass ad review protocols.
Meta says it won’t stop there. It plans to share its findings with other social media platforms to stem the spread of these apps across the internet.
While some question Meta’s motives-given the profits it made while Crush AI ads were live-many agree this lawsuit is a necessary move. The unchecked spread of AI-generated explicit content is a growing threat to privacy, consent, and digital safety. For once, Meta appears to be treating it with the seriousness it deserves.