UK to force Apple, Google to block nude images on kids' devices

An Apple iPhone The UK government will require technology companies such as Apple Inc. and Google to stop children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images on their phones and tablets, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy told the House of Commons on Tuesday. Nandy said the government would introduce legislation 'as soon as we can,' but declined to give a precise timetable. The government had given Apple and Alphabet Inc.-owned Google a three-month deadline in June to introduce such measures voluntarily. Although both firms offer content protections for young users, neither comprehensively block the taking or sending of nude selfies. Nandy on Tuesday praised Apple's rollout of age-based restrictions on its operating system, and called commitments by the iPhone-maker and Google 'a step in the right direction,' but said they were ultimately sufficient. 'For too long, technology companies have failed to protect children from some of the worst harms,' Nandy said. 'And to be frank, I am not prepared to give them the benefit of the doubt that progress will continue at the pace that we need it to, while harm is being done now.' A spokesperson for Google said the company was 'pleased to have made progress' and that it was 'fully committed' to working with lawmakers, app developers, and safety experts on ways to keep children safe. Apple didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Nudity detection at the level of operating systems, as well as individual apps, is designed to prevent children from being pressured into creating and sharing intimate images of themselves online which can be used for grooming and blackmail. It's part of a growing effort to regulate against online harms, with the UK also announcing one of the world's strictest social media bans for kids in June. The culture secretary said some questions needed to be ironed out, such as what devices the new rules would apply to. She said the government would reassess legislation if the companies introduce the restrictions before a bill is passed. 'We know that this is a sector that can, when required, innovate at an extraordinary pace when the chips are down,' she added. 'Children cannot face more delays, so Government must act swiftly and ensure these measures are enshrined in law at the earliest opportunity,' said Chris Sherwood, chief executive officer of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children, in emailed comments. In the Commons chamber, the Conservative Party's Shadow Secretary of State Rebecca Paul also praised the announcement as a 'a huge practical step, which has the potential to prevent immeasurable harm,' but added that details on the legislation remained vague. Privacy campaign group Big Brother Watch said online that protecting children is a 'noble goal,' but criticized what it described as digital ID checks and surveillance software. The restrictions will not apply to adults who have passed age verification.