The UK government has called on technology companies, including Apple and Google, to activate or update built-in features that prevent children from taking, sending, or viewing sexually explicit images on smartphones and other devices. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer emphasized the importance of this measure during London Tech Week, stating that these companies have the innovation capacity to address the issue.
The government plans to introduce legislation requiring firms to comply within three months. If companies fail to act voluntarily, they could face fines or criminal liability. The proposed rules would apply to both existing and new devices sold in the UK and would cover operating system providers and retailers. Adults who verify their age would not be affected by these restrictions.
Why this matters
Online child sexual abuse reports reveal that 91% of cases in 2024 involved self-generated content by children. The average age at which children view pornography is 13, highlighting the urgency of protecting minors from exposure to sexually explicit material. The government’s initiative aims to reduce risks such as online grooming and sextortion by limiting access to nude images on devices used by children.
Current industry measures and responses
Some tech companies already have tools to protect children online. Apple, for example, recently began requiring UK iPhone users to verify their age for access to adult content. It also offers a “Communication Safety” feature that warns children with Child Accounts when they send or receive nude images via Messages, AirDrop, and FaceTime. This feature is enabled by default for children under 18 and can be managed by parents.
Google’s Messages app includes settings to blur sensitive content for users supervised by parents or guardians. Additionally, third-party companies have developed AI tools to detect and block nude images on devices. The government highlighted SafeToNet’s AI technology as an example of scalable on-device detection and blocking.
Google stated it is “deeply committed to protecting children online” and is working with UK partners to find privacy-preserving solutions. Apple has not commented on the government’s announcement.
Concerns and criticisms
Some privacy advocates have expressed concerns that mandatory activation of these features, especially if applied by default to all users, could infringe on user privacy. For example, adults might be required to verify their age to disable nude image blocking, raising fears about increased surveillance.
Groups such as Big Brother Watch and the Open Rights Group have criticized the plans, warning that they could lead to intrusive ID checks and turn phones into surveillance devices. The government denies these claims, maintaining that the measures are focused solely on protecting children.
Child safety campaigners, including the NSPCC, have welcomed the move. NSPCC Chief Executive Chris Sherwood called for the government to hold tech companies accountable to ensure swift implementation of these protections.
Next steps and broader context
The government is expected to announce further measures soon, including potential restrictions on children’s access to social media. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood emphasized the moral duty of tech companies to prevent children from taking, sharing, or viewing nude images, warning that legislation will follow if voluntary compliance is not achieved.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall stated that companies have three months to enable these protections by default for every child on every device. The UK has already enacted the Online Safety Act, which sets duties for online platforms to protect users, but campaigners have called for stronger actions to address the sharing of nude images among children.
Following a national consultation, ministers are also considering restrictions on social media use for under-16s, including age limits and bans on addictive features.
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