UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued a three-month ultimatum to tech giants Apple and Google, demanding they install software to block explicit images on children's mobile phones or face new legislation enforcing the requirement. The announcement was made during London Tech Week on Monday, marking a significant step in the government's efforts to protect minors online.
Starmer stated that companies must activate nudity-detection algorithms or similar technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to prevent users from taking or sharing photos of genitalia unless they are verified as adults. Failure to comply by September will result in legislation requiring such protections on all phones and tablets sold in the UK.
The prime minister emphasized that the UK would become the first country globally to make it impossible for children to take, share, or view nude images. "For too long, people have been told that this is simply the price of modern tech – that nothing could be done. That government is powerless. That parents just have to accept it. I reject that completely," he said.
Starmer added, "Tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way round. If we are serious about unlocking the opportunities that tech can bring, then we must also be serious about preventing those who want to abuse it – the online predators."
The Home Office confirmed that the measures would also prevent sexual predators from exploiting victims through devices and stop children from accessing pornography. Adults will retain the ability to take, share, or view nude content after passing an age verification process.
The push comes amid growing concerns about children being exposed to grooming and pornography at a young age. Ministers have praised companies like HMD Global, which introduced a device for children featuring software called HarmBlock, developed by UK-based SafeToNet, that automatically detects and blocks explicit imagery. While Apple and Google's Android operating systems have developed sensitive content warnings for younger users, these can currently be overridden with a passcode.
The UK's initiative follows Australia's recent policy encouraging companies to develop operating systems with settings for detecting nudity and employing techniques such as blurring or warning messages. The proposal is designed to complement the Online Safety Act, which requires companies to remove material that is illegal or harmful to children.
Neither Apple nor Google currently offers a nudity-blocking system that works across their entire operating systems, including third-party apps like WhatsApp or Telegram. There is speculation that Starmer may also adopt an "Australian-plus" model, banning a wider range of sites, restricting "addictive" features, and implementing tougher age checks to prevent children from circumventing the rules.
The announcement follows Jess Phillips' resignation as safeguarding minister in May, where she criticized Starmer for incremental change. In her resignation letter, Phillips wrote, "Over a year ago I presented solutions... that would end the ability for children in the UK to take naked images of themselves. We could stop this abuse. It has taken me a year to get you to agree to even threaten to legislate in this space. Not legislate, just threaten."
