UK Gives Apple, Google 3 Months to Block Nude Images on Under-18s' Devices
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
UK Gives Apple, Google 3 Months to Block Nude Images on Under-18s' Devices
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · Jun 8
Summary
Three months is the deadline Britain set for Apple, Google and other tech firms to switch on or build protections stopping under-18s from taking, sending or viewing nude images on phones and tablets.
91% of online child sexual abuse reports in 2024 contained self-generated content, the government said, while the average child now sees pornography by age 13 amid concerns over grooming and sextortion.
Legislation will follow if companies do not comply voluntarily, with measures potentially covering existing and newly sold devices, retailers and operating-system providers, and penalties ranging from fines to criminal liability.
Apple already age-verifies UK users and offers blocking tools on services including iMessage, while Google said it was working with UK partners on privacy-preserving child-safety solutions.
The move adds to the Online Safety Act and comes as Starmer prepares a broader crackdown on children's social media access, drawing support from child-safety groups and criticism from privacy campaigners.
In its quest to protect children, is the UK building an internet where every adult is monitored and restricted?
With ministers gaining vast censorship powers, what stops the UK's child safety push from silencing everyone online?
As similar laws fail globally, can the UK's plan to police explicit images actually succeed without backfiring?
Starmer’s September 2026 Deadline: UK Demands Universal Device Controls and Social Media Ban for Under-16s
Overview
In March/April 2026, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave major tech companies like Apple and Google a three-month ultimatum to introduce strong device-level controls aimed at protecting children online. This move comes after recognizing that current safety measures, such as Apple’s age checks and default safety features for under-18s, are not enough—especially since key gaps remain, like nudity detection not covering cameras or third-party apps. With a September 2026 deadline, tech giants must act quickly to close these safety gaps and better shield children from harmful content across all devices and services.