New law to force tech firms to stop children taking or sharing nude images

The UK government plans to introduce legislation that will compel technology companies to prevent children under the age of 18 from creating or sharing nude images on their mobile devices. Apple and Google, the primary developers of the operating systems used in most smartphones in the UK, were given a three-month deadline in June to implement these measures.

However, culture secretary Lisa Nandy MP has expressed concerns that the proposed solutions do not adequately address the severity of the issue. In order to effectively combat this crisis, ministers intend to legislate as soon as possible, although they may reassess their decision if the companies develop and implement solutions earlier.

The government's draft legislation would also require app providers that cater to children to incorporate similar blocks on nude imagery. Apple and Google have already made significant progress in blocking nudity on devices used by children, but Nandy believes further action is necessary. Apple and Google have both expressed their support for combating online exploitation and abuse, stating that they have made progress and remain committed to enhancing their child safety tools.

The government's proposals have been welcomed by organizations and charities advocating for stronger measures to prevent children from both viewing and sharing nude content on smartphones. Online rights campaigners have warned that implementing this change may require verifying whether the user of a phone or app is an adult or a child, potentially leading to a digital ID checkpoint and the default scanning of private images.