Prime Minister Keir Starmer has announced a three-month deadline for technology companies, including Apple and Google, to implement device-level controls preventing children from taking, sharing, or viewing nude images on smartphones and tablets. Speaking at London Tech Week, Starmer stated that if firms do not comply voluntarily by September 2026, the government will introduce legislation to enforce these measures. The policy will apply to both existing and newly sold devices in the UK and will rely on age verification to allow adults continued access. The Home Office cited that 91% of online child sexual abuse reports involve self-generated content by children. Firms could face fines or criminal liability if they fail to comply. The move follows calls from child safety advocates and former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, who resigned over delays in implementation. The policy builds on the existing Online Safety Act and will be enforced by Ofcom. Companies including Google and Apple have acknowledged the initiative, with Apple already implementing some age-verification features in the UK.

The headline and summary are AI-generated to reduce bias