Tech giants Apple and Google have been given a strict three-month deadline by the UK government to implement measures that would block access to nude images on devices owned by individuals under 18. The directive, announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during London Tech Week, requires the companies to either activate existing built-in safety features or update their operating systems to prevent children from taking, sending, or viewing sexually explicit content.

This move is part of a broader government effort to enhance child protection in the digital realm, addressing growing concerns about online grooming and sextortion. The government has highlighted the prevalence of self-generated content in online child sexual abuse reports and indicated that the average child encounters pornography by the age of 13, underscoring the urgency of the situation.

Sir Keir Starmer emphasized that the challenge is not insurmountable for technologically advanced companies. "These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it," he stated. If Apple and Google fail to comply voluntarily within the stipulated timeframe, the government has pledged to introduce legislation. This legislation could impose fines and, as a last resort, hold companies criminally liable for non-compliance.

The proposed changes are intended to apply to both new and existing smartphones and tablets sold in the UK. The government indicated that the legislation could encompass operating system providers and other entities in the supply chain, such as retailers. Importantly, these measures will not impact devices used by adults who can verify their age.

In response, Google stated its deep commitment to child protection online, noting that it is "working constructively with UK partners to find effective, privacy-preserving solutions that deter the spread of harmful content while ensuring a safe digital environment for young people." Apple, which has already implemented age verification for its UK users, offers blocking services on its platforms like iMessage.

The UK government has previously enacted laws such as the Online Safety Act, enforced by regulator Ofcom, to address online harms. However, child safety advocates continue to push for more stringent measures to prevent children from accessing or sharing nude images.

The government's statistics reveal that 91% of recorded online child sexual abuse incidents in 2024 involved self-generated content from children. This statistic, coupled with the average age of first exposure to pornography, fuels the demand for more robust preventative tools.

This announcement comes as Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly preparing to unveil further measures targeting children's access to social media within days, with a speech on potential policies anticipated next week. The government's focus on digital safety for minors signals a significant policy push in this area.