Overview
- The prime minister on Monday told tech companies such as Apple and Google they have until September to activate device controls that stop children taking, sending or viewing nude images or face government legislation.
- Downing Street sources and ministers have reported that a separate Australia‑style restriction on under‑16s’ access to some social media features or platforms is due to be announced in the coming days.
- The proposal calls for nudity‑detection and age‑verification on phones and tablets so adults can still view explicit content after proving their age while children would be blocked by default.
- Officials say any law would include corporate fines and could create criminal liability for bosses, and ministers are drawing up draft legislation and considering enforcement tools such as sales or app restrictions.
- Privacy groups and technology experts warn of hard technical limits, especially for encrypted messaging and third‑party apps, and campaigners urge broader protections up to 18 as the government cites IWF data showing most reports involve self‑generated images.