UK gives tech giants three months to block nude images for children

The British government has given major technology companies including Apple and Google three months to introduce stronger protections preventing children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images on smartphones and other devices, warning that legislation will follow if firms fail to act voluntarily.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced the initiative during London Tech Week, saying technology companies have both the responsibility and capability to tackle the growing problem of children being exposed to sexually explicit content online, BBC writes. 

"This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it," Starmer said.

Under the proposals, companies would be expected to activate existing safety features or develop new tools that automatically block access to nude images for users under the age of 18. The measures would apply to both newly sold and existing smartphones and tablets in the United Kingdom.

The government said it is prepared to introduce legislation if companies do not comply within three months. Potential penalties could include fines and, in extreme cases, criminal liability for companies that fail to meet the requirements.

"Legislation could cover operating system providers and others in the supply chain, such as retailers, and will not affect the use of devices owned and used by adults who verify their age," Starmer said.

The move comes amid growing concern over online grooming, sextortion and the widespread sharing of self-generated sexual images among children. According to government figures, 91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 involved content created by children themselves. Officials also cited research indicating that the average child is exposed to pornography by the age of 13.

Several technology firms already offer tools designed to reduce children's exposure to explicit content. Apple provides its "Communication Safety" feature, which warns children when they send or receive nude images through services such as iMessage, AirDrop and FaceTime. Google's Messages app includes settings that blur sensitive images for children supervised by parents or guardians.

A Google spokesperson said the company was "deeply committed to protecting children online."

"We are working constructively with UK partners to find effective, privacy-preserving solutions that deter the spread of harmful content while ensuring a safe digital environment for young people," the spokesperson added.

The government has highlighted technology developed by safety firm SafeToNet as an example of how artificial intelligence can detect and block nude images directly on devices without transmitting personal data elsewhere.

However, civil liberties and digital rights groups have raised concerns that expanding such protections could require broader age-verification systems and potentially threaten online privacy.

Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, criticized the proposals, saying: "Protecting children online is vital, but these are outrageous plans that will fail to address the underlying causes of online harm."

"Put simply, the Labour government is threatening ID checks for the internet. No-one in a democracy should need to show their passport just to get online," she added.

James Baker of the Open Rights Group also warned against expanding age-verification infrastructure, arguing that "This would turn every phone into a surveillance device."

The government has rejected suggestions that the plans amount to surveillance and insists the measures would not affect adults' ability to access legal content after verifying their age.

Child protection advocates welcomed the initiative. Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, said: "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," he added.

By Sabina Mammadli