UK gives Apple, Google three-month ultimatum to activate child nude image filters

The British government has issued a three-month deadline to technology giants Apple and Google, demanding they activate built-in safeguards on smartphones and tablets that can detect and block nude images from being viewed, shared, or created by children. Failure to comply, officials warned, will result in legislation forcing them to do so.

The announcement, made by the Home Office on Monday, positions the United Kingdom as the first country globally to seek nationwide protections aimed at making it significantly harder for minors to take, share, or view explicit content on their devices.

The Home Office stated that it has formally demanded tech firms switch on existing safety features already available on many devices but not universally activated for young users. Officials argued these measures are necessary to protect children from exploitation, online harms, and the growing prevalence of explicit content among minors.

Addressing privacy concerns, the department rejected claims that the proposal amounts to surveillance, insisting it is not an invasion of privacy.

The move coincides with the government’s unveiling of plans for its first-ever national guidance on healthy screen use for children aged five to 16. Parents are expected to receive practical advice on social media use, sleep habits, and the appropriate age for a child’s first smartphone.

Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson noted that parents face challenges previous generations never encountered and need practical support to navigate an increasingly digital childhood.

The guidance, to be published this autumn, will be shaped by an independent expert group. Ministers are also examining the role of technology in schools and considering additional measures to ensure classroom digital tools are safe and effective.

Public Health Minister Sharon Hodgson said the goal is to help families establish healthier relationships with technology.

The latest intervention builds on existing measures including phone-free classroom policies, the Online Safety Act, and earlier guidance for parents of children under five. Government polling indicates 86 per cent of respondents support existing guidance for younger children, while 82 per cent believe it is helping families develop healthier digital habits.