Tech Accountability

UK Government Demands Device Controls from Apple and Google to Combat Child Explicit Images

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer urged Apple and Google to implement device-level safeguards on smartphones and tablets that detect and block children from sending or receiving sexually explicit images, arguing this is achievable and already possible through built-in controls. The government gave firms a three-month deadline and warned of new legislation that could bring fines and, as a last resort, criminal liability for executives, while allowing adults to access explicit content after age verification. Officials said the approach is meant to prevent abuse such as grooming and sextortion without broad surveillance, claiming it would rely on on-device processing rather than new reporting, data collection, or images leaving the device. Child-protection advocates welcomed the plan as a way to reduce exploitation and blackmail risks, but privacy groups warned it could open the door to more intrusive monitoring of personal devices. The measures are also part of wider discussion about restricting social media for users under 16 and reflect growing international pressure on tech platforms to protect minors. Separate reporting notes Apple has already activated age checks for unverified users in the UK, though nude-detection controls may not extend to the camera, third-party messaging, or other functions.

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