UK wants Google, Apple to block nudity on devices that can be accessed by children

The UK government wants tech companies to install software that blocks explicit images on their devices in an effort to protect children.

The Home Office is expected to encourage tech companies to incorporate nudity-detection algorithms into device operating systems to prevent users from taking photos or sharing images of genitalia unless they are verified as adults, the Financial Times reports.

The users could be identified through methods such as biometric checks or official ID, while child sex offenders would be required to keep detection algorithms enabled.

The controls come as part of the UK government's strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, which will be unveiled in the coming days.

According to people familiar with the matter, the government was considering making such software mandatory for devices sold in the UK, but has stopped short of imposing the rule for now.

The UK introduced age verification for all adult content sites in July as part of the Online Safety Act, aimed at protecting children. While porn traffic has plummeted since, the increasing use of VPNs suggests that many users have found ways to work around the rule.

Moreover, the ban caused major cybersecurity concerns. Sensitive data, such as ID or biometric information, which is required for age verification, may be hacked and used in scams, ranging from phishing to more serious offenses like identity theft.

Children’s exposure to porn, which often involves abuse, has been on the rise in the UK, according to a Children's Commissioner report based on a survey of young people aged 16 to 21.

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Seven in ten (70%) young adults report having seen porn before the age of 18. Of those, 59% say they saw pornography online by accident rather than deliberately seeking it. Many named social media sites as a common source for adult content.

Exposure to pornography at a young age may lead to poor mental health, sexism, and sexual violence, according to UNICEF. When children view pornography that portrays abusive and misogynistic acts, they may start considering such behavior normal and acceptable.

Technology has been increasingly blamed for causing a wide range of children’s problems, including mental health issues, physical inactivity, and erosion of social skills.

Australia has just introduced a law banning under-16s from using major social media networks, including TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. While they cannot set up accounts, they can still watch public content that is available for logged-out users.

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