Google · Apple · BBC Technology
The UK has also already introduced laws to try to protect children online
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However, child safety campaigners have urged the government to go further to stop children seeing or sharing nude images, amid concerns about online grooming and sextortion.
Key facts
- The government said 91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 contained self-generated content from children themselves and the average child now views pornography by the age of 13
- Labour MP Jess Phillips resigned as safeguarding minister at the Home Office earlier this year, accusing Sir Keir of being slow to threaten legislation on preventing children taking naked images
- The tool, which is turned on by default for those under 18 with a Child Account and which parents can enable for teens in iCloud Family settings, lets children report nude images or videos to Apple
- The plans would not prevent adults, anyone over 18, from accessing naked imagery
Summary
Tech companies such as Apple and Google have been asked by the UK government to block access to naked images on smartphones and other devices for under-18s. Sir Keir Starmer has told firms to either activate built-in features or update software to prevent children from taking, sending or viewing sexually explicit images on their phones and other devices. Speaking at London Tech Week, the prime minister said: "This is not an impossible challenge. The government said it will bring forward legislation to force firms to activate the features if they do not comply voluntarily within three months. This could include fines or, as a last resort, criminal liability for companies which do not comply.