The UK government is preparing to pressure tech giants Apple and Google to introduce nudity detection systems directly into their devices’ operating systems, in a new push to shield users—especially children—from explicit material. The effort is part of a broader campaign to reduce online exposure to sexual content and combat violence against women and girls.
Under the forthcoming plan, companies like Apple and Google would be “encouraged” to embed algorithms into smartphones and tablets that automatically detect and block nude images. Access would only be granted once users verify they are adults through biometric scans or official identification. While initially targeting mobile devices, the initiative could be extended to computers and laptops as well.
The announcement follows the recent implementation of the UK’s Online Safety Act, which requires age verification for adult content on websites and apps. However, enforcement has proven difficult as many users bypass restrictions using VPNs. Officials believe nudity detection at the device level could offer a more effective layer of protection—though it raises new concerns about surveillance, privacy, and the reliability of automated content filters.
Microsoft already has similar capabilities in its Teams platform, and Apple and Google both offer parental control tools. Still, a government-endorsed default system could provoke pushback. Tech companies have previously argued that such mandates pose significant privacy risks and could lead to widespread censorship. When Texas passed an app store age-verification law, Apple and Google complied but objected strongly, and later joined a lawsuit against the law.
Internationally, similar digital content restrictions are being debated. Australia recently banned social media use for children under 16, prompting legal challenges from platforms like Reddit.
While UK officials are not yet mandating nudity filters, they are laying the groundwork for what could become a major regulatory shift in how digital devices handle explicit content.
