The UK government is calling on major technology companies to introduce nudity-blocking software at the device level to limit children’s exposure to explicit images. Officials said the proposal would encourage manufacturers such as Apple and Google to ensure that phones, tablets, and other devices sold in the UK block nude images by default unless the user verifies they are an adult. The measure is presented as part of wider efforts to strengthen child safety online.
Under the proposal, operating systems would use image detection technology to identify nude content and prevent it from being viewed, shared, or captured without age confirmation. Adults would be able to unlock access by completing an age verification step, while children’s devices would remain restricted. Government representatives said the aim is to protect all apps and services on a device rather than relying solely on individual platforms or parental controls.
Officials linked the initiative to the existing online safety policy. The proposal builds on obligations introduced under the Online Safety Act, which requires platforms to reduce the risk of children encountering harmful content. The government said device-level controls could provide an additional layer of protection by limiting exposure before content reaches apps, browsers, or messaging services.
Technology companies already offer some tools designed to reduce exposure to explicit material. Apple provides communication safety features that warn users about nude images in certain contexts, while Google offers content filters and parental supervision tools. The UK proposal would go further by encouraging system-wide filtering that applies across all software and services on a device.
The government has not announced plans to make nudity blocking mandatory. Instead, officials said they are seeking cooperation from manufacturers and platform providers to adopt the approach voluntarily. Discussions with industry are expected to continue as the government assesses technical feasibility and potential impact.
Privacy advocates and civil liberties groups have raised concerns about the proposal. They warned that image scanning and age verification could affect user privacy and may lead to unintended data collection. Critics also questioned how reliably automated systems can detect nudity without generating false positives or blocking legitimate content. Technical experts noted that any system-wide filtering would need to strike a balance between accuracy and respect for personal use and expression.
Officials acknowledged these concerns and said further consultation is needed. They stated that any nudity blocking tools should operate with minimal intrusion and clear safeguards. The government stated that its focus remains on reducing harm to children while ensuring that adults continue to have access to lawful content.
The proposal comes amid broader debate in the UK over regulating online content and age access. Existing rules already require age checks for some adult websites, and enforcement challenges have been widely discussed. The nudity blocking plan reflects ongoing efforts to explore additional methods of protecting children as digital devices and online services continue to play a central role in daily life.