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Government sets deadline for child safety measures
Apple, Google and other tech companies have been given three months to activate or develop tools that prevent under-18s from taking, sending or viewing nude images on smartphones and tablets, UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced on Monday.
Legislation threatened if firms fail to act
Starmer told London Tech Week that companies must either enable existing safety features or update software to comply. If they do not, the government will introduce laws imposing fines or even criminal liability for non-compliance.
The proposed rules would apply to all devices sold or already in use in the UK, targeting operating system providers, retailers and other parts of the supply chain. Adults who verify their age would not be affected.
Tech giants respond cautiously
A Google spokesperson said the company was "deeply committed to protecting children online" and was working with UK partners to find "effective, privacy-preserving solutions." Apple has not commented on the BBC's request for a response.
Several firms already offer tools to block or blur explicit content. Apple's Communication Safety feature, enabled by default for under-18s with a Child Account, warns children about nude images in Messages, AirDrop and FaceTime. Parents can also activate it for teens via iCloud Family settings. Google's Messages app for Android includes similar blurring for supervised users.
Privacy concerns raised over default settings
The government highlighted SafeToNet, an AI tool that detects and blocks nude images on-device, as an example of scalable solutions. However, critics argue that requiring default activation across all apps-including those not operated by the tech firms-could force adults to verify their age to opt out, raising privacy issues.
"Protecting children online is vital, but these are outrageous plans that will fail to address the underlying causes of online harm."
Silkie Carlo, Director of Big Brother Watch
James Baker of Open Rights Group warned the measures could turn "every phone into a surveillance device." The government denied this, insisting the focus remained on child safety.
Campaigners urge faster action
The UK's Online Safety Act, enforced by media regulator Ofcom, already imposes duties on platforms to protect children. Yet campaigners say more must be done, citing 2024 data showing 91% of online child sexual abuse reports involved self-generated content, with the average child exposed to pornography by age 13.
"Time is up for big tech. Now government must focus on holding them to account to ensure this transformational change for young people's safety is quickly delivered."
Chris Sherwood, NSPCC Chief Executive
Labour MP Jess Phillips resigned as safeguarding minister earlier this year, criticising the government's slow progress on legislation despite available technology.
Broader crackdown on youth social media access
The announcement follows reports that Starmer is preparing to unveil stricter social media rules for under-16s, including potential age limits or bans on addictive features. A national consultation is underway, with ministers reviewing options.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said tech firms had a "moral duty" to act, while Technology Secretary Liz Kendall urged companies to enable protections "by default, for every child, on every device."
Andy Burrows of the Molly Rose Foundation welcomed the move but criticised the government's "hurried announcements," calling for evidence-based policies rather than short-term measures.
