UK government to force device-level blocks on underage explicit imagery

In a speech delivered on 8 September, Lisa Nandy, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, told the House of Commons that the government will introduce legislation forcing Apple and Google to block explicit images on smartphones used by children, after voluntary talks failed to reach an agreement before a three-month deadline.

Nandy said that an act of Parliament is now almost certain, aiming to prevent under-18s from creating, viewing, or sharing nude material. Separately, Prime Minister Andy Burnham said that these protections will be enabled by default at device level, requiring adults to verify their age before deactivating filters. Ministers also intend to extend restrictions to mobile applications.

The proposals rely on client-side scanning to examine material directly on devices before transmission, raising privacy concerns among industry leaders and civil liberties groups. However, the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) welcomed the intervention, noting that it has recorded over 140,000 instances of self-generated child sexual abuse material (CSAM) over 12 months.

Google confirmed its commitment to collaborating with legislators while safeguarding privacy and information access. Apple stated it is preparing enhancements to its existing communication safety features, which alert younger users to explicit imagery. 

The news comes as Ofcom warned technology companies that they face imminent deadlines to implement robust measures preventing the dissemination of non-consensual intimate images (NCII) and AI deepfakes.

Launching a new enforcement programme to monitor industry compliance, the regulator stipulated that online platforms must deploy automated hash-matching technology by 30 September to intercept illegal material. Services without hash matching must demonstrate that alternative mechanisms restrict the spread of NCII with equal effectiveness or face further regulatory action.

To support the initiative, Ofcom has partnered with the South West Grid for Learning (SWGfL), the organisation that operates the StopNCII.org database, and the Revenge Porn Helpline to exchange technical expertise and evidence. Ofcom advises platforms to adopt the StopNCII hash-matching system. 

Training Announcement: Find out more about our range of independent accredited qualifications from BCS and IAPP. These include professional certifications for practitioners covering data protection and AI governance, information security and risk management, along with access to public information.