The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) has summoned Google for a meeting later this month regarding AI-powered 'kiss and hug' apps available on the Google Play Store. These apps generate intimate videos using photos of real people without verifying consent and are rated suitable for children as young as three, according to ThePrint and medianama.com reports on October 14 and 15.
NCPCR Member-Secretary Sanjeev Sharma said the commission will issue child safety guidelines for social media, gaming, and AI platforms by December. The apps allow users to upload photos, which the AI then animates into videos showing people hugging or kissing. Some apps even animate photos of deceased individuals. Investigations found dozens of such apps on Google Play in India, many developed domestically, with some having over a million downloads and lacking AI-generated content labels.
Concerns have been raised about data privacy, as at least one app’s data-safety section disclosed sharing users’ photos, videos, and device identifiers with third parties. The apps market themselves as novelties but pose risks due to the absence of consent verification and inadequate age-appropriate content ratings. The NCPCR’s intervention highlights growing regulatory scrutiny over AI applications that impact child safety and privacy.
As of October 15, these AI 'kiss and hug' apps remain available on the Google Play Store in India. The NCPCR’s upcoming child safety guidelines, expected by December, will address concerns related to AI content on social media and gaming platforms, aiming to enhance protections for minors, Sanjeev Sharma confirmed at the Trust and Safety India Festival in New Delhi.