Apple and Google must install software by September to block explicit images on children’s phones or face new laws, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on Monday. Tech firms are required to enable nudity-detection tools or similar features on smartphones and tablets to stop users from taking or sharing genital images without adult verification. Non-compliance within three months would lead to legislation mandating the protection on all UK-sold devices. The move follows the resignation of safeguarding minister Jess Phillips last month, who cited insufficient action against children creating naked images. At London Tech Week, Starmer described the plan as making Britain the first nation to prevent children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images. He rejected the idea that such risks are an unavoidable part of technology and urged companies to adapt systems to societal needs rather than allow predators to exploit them. Failure to act voluntarily would prompt legal changes, he warned. The Home Office stated the measures would limit predators’ ability to target victims via devices and restrict children’s access to pornography. Adults could still access such content after age verification. Concerns center on grooming risks and early exposure to explicit material. Officials highlighted HMD Global’s child-focused device with automatic blocking software from UK firm SafeToNet. While Apple and Google offer some warnings for younger users, these can be bypassed with a passcode. The UK approach follows Australia’s recent call for systems that detect nudity and apply blurring or alerts. It complements the Online Safety Act’s rules on removing harmful content. Neither Apple nor Google currently provides system-wide nudity blocking that covers third-party apps like messaging services. Speculation suggests Starmer may pursue broader restrictions modeled on Australia’s policies, including limits on addictive features and stronger age checks. The announcement occurs as Starmer seeks to build a policy legacy amid potential leadership challenges.
