Controversial AI Applications Developer Sues Apple Over App Store Removals

Publication Date: 04.04.2026

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The developer of Ex-Human, Botify, and Photify AI is suing Apple over "arbitrary" App Store removals. Here are the details.

Developer Seeks Injunction Against Bans

According to San Francisco Business Times (via AppleInsider), "The San Francisco AI startup Ex-Human, known for its controversial bold chatbots, is facing off against one of the world's largest companies."

The lawsuit includes claims of the removal of two applications from the App Store and allegations that Apple is "holding" $500,000 earned from the apps.

Botify is an AI friendship platform that allows users to have conversations with AI chatbots. Last year, it made headlines after a concerning story was published by MIT Technology Review about the existence of chatbots that imitate famous characters through age reduction and engage in "sexual conversations."

In one instance, a user-generated chatbot reportedly claimed that the age of consent laws were "made to be broken" while impersonating Wednesday Addams as portrayed by Jenna Ortega.

Other user-generated bots imitated younger versions of Emma Watson and Millie Bobby Brown at ages 16 and 17, while the actresses are currently 35 and 22 years old, respectively.

The Photify AI application has also sparked controversy, as it reportedly allows users to "generate images of real people in bold outfits without their consent," according to San Francisco Business Times.

Regarding the lawsuit, Ex-Human claims that both applications were removed from the App Store for reasons Apple labeled as "dishonest or fraudulent activities." Ex-Human argues that Apple did not provide specific examples that led to the removal decision.

"Apple did not identify specific transactions, user activities, or app behaviors," the complaint states, emphasizing that its applications have remained in good standing on Google Play Store.

Ex-Human notes that in the past, the App Store business development team classified the company as a "high-growth developer," with Botify generating approximately $330,000 in monthly revenue and Photify AI around $100,000.

The company also argues that Apple removed Photify AI for anti-competitive reasons, claiming this decision conflicted with its own "Image Playground" promotion.

Follow this link to read the full report from San Francisco Business Times.