LONDON, United Kingdom: A UK child safety law will require technology companies, including Apple and Google, to stop children from taking, viewing or sharing nude images on their devices.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy announced the plan in the House of Commons on Tuesday, September 8, saying voluntary measures proposed by technology companies did not go far enough.
The planned legislation would require device-level safeguards in smartphones and tablets. According to the supplied material, the platform would enable default protections for users under 18. The government also intends to extend similar requirements to apps used by children.
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The move follows an ultimatum issued to technology companies earlier this year to strengthen protections against explicit imagery involving minors.
Apple already offers Communication Safety tools that can detect and obscure sensitive images. However, the government wants stronger protections that prevent children from creating or sharing such material in the first place.
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Child-safety groups have welcomed tougher measures. Meanwhile, privacy campaigners including Big Brother Watch and the Open Rights Group have raised concerns.
Some technical approaches could increase surveillance or require broader age-verification systems. The government will work on the technical details before introducing the legislation.
