The UK government plans to make a new law. This law will force big tech companies like Apple and Google to block nude images on phones and tablets.
The block will stop children from taking, sharing, or looking at nude photos. This move causes a clash between British lawmakers and big tech companies. They disagree on phone tracking, privacy, and checking users’ ages.
Lisa Nandy is the UK Culture Secretary. She confirmed this plan in Parliament on Tuesday.
In June 2026, the government gave tech companies three months to fix this problem. That time is now up. Nandy said Apple and Google made some good changes. But she believes these changes are not enough to stop the crisis.
Nandy said tech companies have failed to protect children for too long. She does not want to wait anymore while children get hurt right now.
The new law demands safety tools built right into the phone’s system. This applies to old and new devices sold in the UK.
These tools will be turned on for anyone under 18. Adults can turn off these blocks. To do so, they must prove their age using strong digital ID checks.
New Rules and Fines
The law shifts safety from websites to the phone itself. If companies do not follow the rules, they will face heavy fines. Tech bosses could even face criminal charges.
The government will not punish parents if their children use unsafe devices.
Apple and Google control most of the UK phone market. Apple makes the iPhone, and Google makes the Android system. Both companies say they want to keep children safe. They say they are working with the government.
An Apple spokesperson said they are making their “Communication Safety” tool stronger. Google said it is a leader in child safety. It wants to protect kids while keeping user data private.
Old Rules vs. New Rules
Apple and Google already have some safety tools. Apple has “Communication Safety,” which blurs bad images in messages and warns the child. Google blurs bad images for teens on Android messages.
But the UK government says blurring is not enough. Nandy wants phones to block the images completely.
The current tools do not stop a child from using the camera to take a bad picture. They also do not check secret messaging apps or the main photo gallery.
| Feature | Current Phone Rules (Apple / Google) | Proposed UK Law |
| Main Action | Blurs bad images in messages and warns the user. | Blocks the camera or screen from taking or showing nude images. |
| Where it Works | Only in specific apps like iMessage or AirDrop. | Everywhere on the phone: camera, other apps, and photo gallery. |
| How it Checks | Checks images inside specific apps. | Checks the phone all the time in the background. |
| Who it Affects | On by default for registered child accounts. | On by default for all phones. Needs a digital ID to turn off. |
Why is the UK Doing This?
Online grooming and blackmail are rising fast. Predators trick children into taking bad photos of themselves.
The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) shared shocking numbers. They said 91% of child abuse reports in 2024 involved photos children took themselves. About 9,000 abuse cases each year happen online.
Also, one in five older children feels pushed to share nude photos.
Child protection groups like the NSPCC are happy with the new rules. They hear from many blackmail victims and want the law passed quickly. The IWF says stopping these photos from being taken is the best way to keep kids safe.
How Will It Work?
Phones will need to use “client-side scanning.” This means the phone’s software checks photos before they go on the internet.
The government points to a British company called SafeToNet. This company shows the tech is possible.
SafeToNet’s “HarmBlock AI” is inside a new phone called the HMD Fuse. This phone works offline and stops the camera from taking bad photos in real-time. SafeToNet says it is highly accurate and keeps user data private.
Privacy Worries
Many privacy groups are upset. Because the blocks are always on, adults must prove their age to use their cameras normally.
Big Brother Watch says this hurts internet privacy for everyone. Other groups say this creates a hidden spy system.
Critics worry the scanning tools could be used to spy on other things later. A security expert said it puts a system in place to scan personal messages.
Business security experts are also worried. They say scanning the phone’s deep system creates new dangers for hackers to attack. A trade group warned the government not to move too fast and ruin basic phone security.
The Bigger Picture
Politicians from different parties agree on these rules. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is keeping the strict plans started by Keir Starmer. Other lawmakers are also praising the plan.
This phone block is just one part of the UK’s plan for children. The government also wants to force app makers to block nude images.
Soon, the UK will ban social media for children under 16. This ban will start in Spring 2027.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will the phones block nude images?
Phones will use smart software to scan the screen and camera. It will detect and block nude photos before they can be saved, viewed, or sent. This happens right on the phone, not on the internet.
Will adults be blocked from taking photos?
The block is turned on by default for everyone. Adults who want to take or send adult photos will need to prove their age using a strong digital ID to turn the block off.
What are Apple and Google doing right now?
Apple and Google currently blur nude photos when they are sent in messages. The UK government says blurring is not enough and wants the photos blocked completely from the camera and screen.
Will this scan my private messages?
Privacy groups are worried about this. The scanning happens on the phone before messages are locked and sent. Critics say this creates a spy system that breaks internet privacy.
Is there a phone that already does this?
Yes. A new phone called the HMD Fuse has this block built-in. It uses “HarmBlock AI” by SafeToNet to stop children from taking or seeing nude photos without needing an internet connection.
