Internet: Children

The Prime Minister announced on Monday 8 June that Britain would become the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share and view nude imagery; and that will work with tech companies for three months to ensure that comprehensive nudity detection is implemented at operating system level, with adults able to switch it off by proving they are over-18 through age assurance.

We are currently engaging with industry, with a focus on the primary operating system providers, to ensure that the government’s objective is met. If legislation is necessary in future, we will draft legislation to be effective and proportionate, applying appropriately to relevant parts of industry; and ensure maximum coverage of devices already in circulation.

This period of engagement with industry will focus on further refining technical solutions to prevent nude imagery from being taken, shared or viewed; which will include consideration of accuracy thresholds.

The Government has considered risks and workarounds during our development of this policy which is precisely why the Government considers action at operating system can provide the most comprehensive coverage to protect children from sending, viewing and sharing nude imagery. By engaging with industry we will continue to consider potential circumventions, and ensure that protections are as effective as possible in response, and that guidance is produced if necessary.

This policy currently applies to smartphone and tablet operating systems, and will apply to newly sold and existing devices – through operating system updates to supported devices.