UK forces Apple, Google to block child nude images on smartphones

In a move that could become the most sweeping technology‑regulation in Britain since the Online Safety Act, the government has announced that Apple and Google will be forced by law to block the creation, sharing and viewing of nude images on any device used by a child.

In a statement to the Commons, the Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, Lisa Nandy, said the government was “committed to introducing primary legislation to require major tech platforms to build in device‑level protections for children.” The move follows an ultimatum issued at London Tech Week in June, giving the two companies a three‑month window to deploy the required safeguards.

Media additions

Apple’s current safety suite includes Communication Safety and an age‑check feature that activates safety settings on iPhones by default for users under 18. Google offers a Sensitive Content Warning in its Messages app, which blurs nudity for supervised accounts. Both firms have stated they are “pleased to have made progress” and are “fully committed” to working with the government, but critics argue that the existing tools stop short of the comprehensive, device‑wide block the law demands.

According to the BBC, the draft legislation would also require app developers that target children to incorporate similar blocks, ensuring that the restriction is not confined to the operating system alone. The requirement would apply to all devices sold and used in the UK, covering both existing and newly purchased phones and tablets.

While the law does not forbid adults from uploading or viewing nude images, it does mandate a verification step for anyone over 18 who wishes to override the default block. The government has defended the measure as a “privacy‑preserving” solution, insisting that no content would be sent to external servers for scanning. However, privacy advocates such as the Open Rights Group argue that the system would effectively turn every phone into a surveillance device.

“For too long, technology companies have failed to protect children from some of the worst harms,”

Lisa Nandy, The Guardian

The child‑safety focus has also been highlighted by charities such as the NSPCC, which has called for the law to be enacted “as soon as possible” after the government’s ultimatum.

Apple’s spokesperson said the company was “working closely with the UK government” and that it had “continued to expand its Communication Safety capabilities.” Google’s spokesperson echoed this sentiment, emphasising its commitment to “protecting children while also safeguarding privacy and access to information.” Both firms have also highlighted their existing age‑verification and content‑filtering tools as a foundation for the requested upgrades.

The Guardian’s coverage noted that the UK could become “the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images.” However, the same outlet also highlighted that the policy would not affect adults, who would still retain the ability to view or create nudity after age verification.

Charities such as the Childline have increased outreach to children who may be at risk of sextortion. The policy’s success will hinge on the speed of implementation and the robustness of the technology deployed.

Should the legislation pass, it will set a precedent that could influence other jurisdictions. The UK’s approach may prompt similar measures abroad, as governments grapple with the same challenges of protecting minors in an increasingly connected world. The outcome will be closely watched by both tech giants and child‑protection advocates, who see a clear path forward only if the law is enforced promptly and effectively.