From September 2026, children in the UK may no longer be able to take, send or receive nude images on their smartphones and tablets. Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given Apple and Google a three-month ultimatum to activate built-in protections or face legislation forcing them to do so. The move is part of a wider crackdown on online child sexual abuse, and it could make Britain the first country in the world to make it impossible for under-18s to create or view explicit images on their devices.
The government wants tech companies to use nudity-detection algorithms or other technical solutions to block sexually explicit images of children at the operating system level. This would prevent children from taking photos of genitalia, sending them via messaging apps, or viewing them on their devices. Adults over 18 would still be able to access such content after verifying their age. The plan applies to both existing and new smartphones and tablets sold in the UK, and also covers devices from retailers and other parts of the supply chain.
“UK government demands Apple and Google block nude images on children's devices or face legislation.”
The background to this policy is a growing concern about online grooming, sextortion, and the easy availability of pornography. According to government figures, 91% of online child sexual abuse reports in 2024 contained self-generated content from children themselves, and the average child now views pornography by the age of 13. The UK already has the Online Safety Act, which imposes duties on online platforms and is enforced by media regulator Ofcom. But child safety campaigners, including the NSPCC, have urged the government to go further and require device-level protections. In May 2026, Labour MP Jess Phillips resigned as safeguarding minister, accusing Starmer of "incremental change" and arguing that the technology to block children taking naked images already exists.
For UK readers, this policy directly affects how children use smartphones and tablets. If tech firms comply, most children under 18 will find that their devices automatically block nude images in messages, photos, and apps. Parents with Apple devices may already be familiar with Communication Safety, a feature that warns children with a Child Account when they send or receive nudity in Messages, AirDrop, and FaceTime. Google has said it is working "constructively with UK partners" to find effective solutions. The government has given companies until September to show how they will implement the changes; if they fail, it will introduce legislation that could include fines or, as a last resort, criminal liability for non-compliance.
Q: Will this affect adults' phones? No. The protections apply only to devices used by children. Adults will still be able to take, send, and view nude images after completing an age-verification process to confirm they are over 18.
Q: What are the technical solutions tech firms are being asked to use? Companies like Apple and Google already use nudity-detection software in their native messaging apps. The government wants them to build this into the device's operating system so it works across all apps and services. One example is HarmBlock, developed by UK company SafeToNet, which is already used by phone maker HMD Global in a device aimed at children.
Q: What happens if Apple and Google don't comply? The prime minister has said the government will bring forward legislation within three months if firms do not voluntarily activate the protections. The law could make it mandatory for all phones and tablets sold in the UK to include such blocking features, with penalties including fines or even criminal liability for companies that refuse.
What happens next: Tech firms have until September 2026 to demonstrate how they will introduce the changes. If they fail to do so, the government will begin the process of passing new legislation. Starmer is also expected to announce further measures on children's access to social media in the coming days. The Home Office has said the UK will become the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images on their devices, setting a potential precedent for other nations.