Block Nude Images On Children’s Phones, UK Orders Apple, Google

The UK government has given Apple and Google three months to activate safeguards on smartphones and tablets to prevent children from taking, sharing, or viewing nude images, or face new legislation forcing compliance.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced the measure at London Tech Week on Monday, declaring Britain’s ambition to become the first country where it is “impossible for children to take, share or view naked pictures on their devices”.

“This government will not stand by while children are put at risk online.

“Today I am calling on the tech companies to introduce device-level controls to prevent children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images.

“And if they don’t act, we will,” the Prime Minister said.

The UK Home Office also posted on X, urging tech firms to implement on-device detection tools and age-assurance systems that would block explicit content by default for users under 18. Adults could opt out only after verifying their age.

“Tech companies like Apple and Google have three months.

“Activate safeguards on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images for children or we will bring forward legislation to force you to do so,” they stated.

Apple has already introduced some age-verification features for UK users, but broader device-level controls are now demanded. Virtually all smartphones in Britain run iOS or Android.

If companies fail to act voluntarily by early September, ministers say draft laws are ready to compel them, with potential fines and other enforcement measures.

The policy aims to tackle the rise in self-generated child sexual abuse material, sexting, and online grooming.