The UK government plans to mandate that tech firms block children from taking or sharing nude images on mobile devices after current industry proposals were deemed insufficient.
Key facts
- •Apple and Google were given a three-month deadline in June to block access to nude images for users under 18.
- •The proposed law would apply to both device operating systems and individual apps used by children.
- •UK police have identified restricting the capture and sharing of nude images as a key step in preventing sextortion.
- •The Open Rights Group warned that the measures could necessitate digital ID checks for all adult users.
- •The government denied that the proposed requirements would amount to state surveillance.
The UK government announced plans to introduce legislation forcing technology companies to prevent children from capturing or sharing nude imagery on mobile devices. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy stated that while Apple and Google have made commitments, their current proposals do not adequately address the scale of the issue. The government intends to legislate as soon as possible, though it may reassess if firms implement effective solutions independently.
Scope of Proposed Legislation
The draft legislation aims to mandate device-level blocks on nude imagery for children. It will also require app providers to implement similar restrictions. The government stated this approach is intended to change the entire ecosystem to combat online grooming and abuse. The measures would not restrict adult access to such imagery, though implementing the blocks may require verifying whether a user is an adult or a child.
Industry and Stakeholder Response
Apple and Google, which were given three months in June to address the issue, maintain they are committed to child safety. Apple highlighted its Communication Safety feature, launched in 2021, while Google described itself as an industry leader in combating non-consensual intimate imagery. Meanwhile, organizations like the NSPCC and the Molly Rose Foundation have welcomed the legislative move, citing the role of such imagery in grooming and sextortion. Conversely, the Open Rights Group has raised concerns that the measures could lead to mandatory digital ID checks and the scanning of private images.
Timeline
- 2021Apple launched its Communication Safety feature to help stop children from seeing or sharing nude imagery.
- JuneApple and Google were given three months to block access to nude images on devices used by under-18s.
- TuesdayCulture Secretary Lisa Nandy told MPs that current industry proposals were insufficient and the government would pursue legislation.
Advertisement
This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by BBC Technology.
