Starmer Gives Apple and Google Three Months to Block Nude Images on Kids’ Devices
BBC Business reported Monday that UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has given Apple and Google a three-month deadline to block nude images on children’s devices, with legislation as the threatened consequence of non-compliance.
Starmer made the announcement during London Tech Week. He said the companies must either activate existing built-in features or update their operating systems. The changes would apply to both new and already-sold smartphones and tablets across the UK.
What the Government Is Demanding
The requirement covers children taking, sending, or viewing sexually explicit images on their phones and other connected devices. Officials said legislation could extend liability to retailers and others in the supply chain. Age-verified adults would not be affected by any new restrictions.
Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood framed the demand in moral terms, saying tech firms have a clear duty to act and warning that government will legislate if they refuse. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said protections should be switched on by default for every child on every device.
Background and the Scale of the Problem
The UK already has the Online Safety Act, enforced by media regulator Ofcom, which places duties on online platforms. But child safety advocates have long argued those measures do not go far enough.
Government figures cited by BBC Business underscore the urgency: 91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 involved self-generated content from children themselves. The average child in the UK now encounters pornography by age 13.
Apple has already age-verified UK users and operates blocking features on its own platforms including iMessage. Google said it is working with UK partners to find privacy-preserving solutions that reduce harmful content for young people.
Industry and Civil Society Divided
Reaction from child protection groups was broadly supportive. Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, said time is up for big tech and called on government to hold firms firmly to account. Andy Burrows of the Molly Rose Foundation welcomed the step but criticised what he called rushed communication around the policy.
Not everyone is convinced the approach is sound. Silkie Carlo of Big Brother Watch warned the plans amount to mandatory ID checks for internet access, arguing no one in a democracy should need to show identification simply to go online.
The announcement arrives as Starmer is separately expected to set out plans to restrict children’s access to social media within days, with a policy speech anticipated next week.
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