# San Francisco Demands Answers from Meta Over AI-Generated Child Sexual Abuse Ads San Francisco’s city attorney has issued a stern cease-and-desist letter to **Meta**, the parent company of **Facebook**, **Instagram**, and **Threads**. The letter demands that **Meta** immediately stop allowing paid advertisements that include AI-generated child sexual abuse content (**CSAM**) and requires an explanation for how these ads repeatedly bypassed their moderation systems. ## Hundreds of Disturbing Ads Uncovered The move comes after a recent **WIRED** report revealed that **Meta** had run over 350 ads in recent months. These ads reportedly transformed still images of minors—some confirmed as real individuals, including a member of a European royal family—into short video clips depicting sexual acts. Clicking these ads would direct users to download AI image and video generation apps, some capable of creating nonconsensual intimate imagery, often referred to as 'nudify' apps. ## Tech Transparency Project Findings Researchers at the **Tech Transparency Project (TTP)** initially discovered these disturbing advertisements. Their findings indicated that some identical ads were uploaded multiple times, reaching over 29,000 accounts across the European Union, US, Australia, and India. Alarmingly, more than 250 of these ads continued to run on **Meta** platforms even after **WIRED**'s initial report on a batch of 53 ads in early August. ## City Attorney's Strong Condemnation San Francisco City Attorney **David Chiu** minced no words in his statement to **WIRED**: “**Meta** has failed to address a known issue of AI-generated child sexually explicit ads, while profiting from them. These ads are deeply disturbing and cause harm to real children. **Meta** claims to have zero tolerance for child exploitation, yet the scale and persistence of these issues suggest current efforts are woefully inadequate. This is unacceptable, and **Meta** must do better.” In his four-page letter to **Meta**’s legal team, Chiu emphasized, “No company—particularly one that claims all advertisements are reviewed and approved prior to distribution and then accepts payment for that distribution—should permit its advertising systems to be used in this manner.” ## Questions Over Moderation and Jurisdiction The letter raises critical questions about the efficacy of **Meta**’s ad policies and safety systems, requesting prompt discussions with the company’s legal, child-safety, and advertising staff. Chiu highlighted that these findings do not appear to be isolated failures but rather suggest “broader systemic problems.” **Meta**'s initial response claimed that there was “no indication” the ads were displayed in San Francisco, thus placing the matter outside the city attorney's jurisdiction. However, **Alex Barrett-Shorter**, a spokesperson for the City Attorney’s Office, countered this, stating that since “San Francisco consumers can access the unlawful ads through **Meta** online spaces,” the city has a legitimate interest. Barrett-Shorter further remarked, “We find **Meta**’s response astonishing. **Meta** appears less concerned about whether they’re guilty of exploiting children than whether San Francisco should say anything about it. **Meta** has bigger problems to solve here than determining our jurisdiction.” ## Meta's Response and Ongoing Concerns **Meta** previously told **WIRED** that many of the identified ads had been removed prior to being reported, and all have now been taken down for violating policies. A spokesperson stated, “We don’t tolerate nudify apps or any kind of child exploitation, whether real or AI-generated,” noting that the total ad spend for the 300-plus ads was “under $5,000.” The city attorney's letter demands that **Meta** explain how the ads bypassed moderation, detail its escalation and reporting processes to the **National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)**, and outline how it addresses advertisers and repeat offenders. The letter also highlighted that **TTP** researchers observed instances where **Meta** took over a week to respond to reports, during which time the ads continued to be viewed. Despite **Meta**’s stated policies against child sexual exploitation, abuse, and nudity, and its previous actions against 'nudify' apps—including suing a Hong Kong-based company—researchers continue to find thousands of ads promoting these harmful applications. **Katie Paul**, director of **TTP**, confirmed that new ads featuring **CSAM** were still appearing on **Meta**'s platforms as of Wednesday, even after their September 8th report. “The findings are clear,” Paul stated. “**Meta** is not effectively addressing this issue.” The City Attorney’s Office has requested a response from **Meta** within 28 days, seeking not just an explanation for past failures but concrete systems to prevent future exploitation.