UK plans child-safety laws after Apple and Google miss device deadline
The proposed rules could bring fines and potential criminal liability for executives, while similar requirements are being considered for Instagram and Snapchat.
The UK government says Apple and Google failed to meet a three-month deadline to prevent the taking, viewing or sharing of images of child nudity on smartphones and tablets.
Digital secretary Lisa Nandy introduced proposed legislation on Tuesday after the deadline expired. Under the plan, companies would be required to build protections into existing and newly sold devices in the UK. Firms could face fines, while executives could be subject to potential criminal liability.
The final wording, scope, timing and enforcement arrangements have not been specified. Nandy said she would reassess the need for legislation if companies implement adequate solutions while the rules are being developed.
The government is also considering similar requirements for apps used by children, including Instagram and Snapchat. It is examining stronger rules for AI chatbots and plans to proceed with a social media ban for under-16s, which is scheduled to take effect in spring 2027.
Apple told WIRED that it was working with UK officials and pointed to Communication Safety, a feature launched in 2021 that blurs photos or videos detected as containing nudity on a child’s device. Google said it had made progress and would continue working with officials while protecting privacy and access to information.
The proposals have drawn warnings from Signal and digital-rights groups, which said age verification and content scanning could create broader surveillance infrastructure. Similar child-safety measures in other jurisdictions have also faced privacy and civil-liberties objections.
