UK gives Apple and Google three-month ultimatum to block children from nude images or face legislation

Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday gave Apple and Google a three-month ultimatum to activate or update software preventing under-18s from taking, sending or viewing nude images on smartphones and tablets, threatening legislation with fines or criminal liability if they fail to comply.

Speaking at London Tech Week, Starmer said: "This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it." The government said it will bring forward legislation to force firms to activate the features if they do not comply voluntarily within three months. Legislation could include fines or, as a last resort, criminal liability for companies which do not comply.

The government said 91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 contained self-generated content from children. The plans would not prevent adults over 18 from accessing naked imagery.

Jess Phillips, the former safeguarding minister who resigned earlier this year accusing Starmer of being slow to threaten legislation, told the BBC's World at One that the measure could "eliminate child sexual abuse [online] in the UK" within months. Phillips said she had heard "every single corner-cutting excuse, work-around in the book from tech companies."

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said tech companies "have a moral duty to act." Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said: "Companies should switch these protections on by default, for every child, on every device."

In response, a Google spokesperson said it was "deeply committed to protecting children online" and working "constructively with UK partners." Apple has not responded to the BBC's request for comment.

NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood said: "Time is up for Big Tech." Andy Burrows, chief executive of the Molly Rose Foundation, called the announcement "an important step forward for child protection."

Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch, said: "These are outrageous plans that will fail to address the underlying causes of online harm."