UK government to ask Apple, Google to block nudity online without age verification, report says

The UK government wants tech giants like Apple and Google to block nude photographs if there is no age verification from the user.

The Financial Times reported (via 9to5 Mac) on the new policy from the British government, which will reportedly ask both Google and Apple to block users on iOS and Android devices from both sharing and accessing nude photos sans age verification.

Age verification is a major issue in the tech world right now, and tech giants like Meta are actively lobbying for regulations that require Google and Apple to take responsibility for this process.

Wrote the Financial Times:

"Ministers want the likes of Apple and Google to incorporate nudity-detection algorithms into their device operating systems to prevent users taking photos or sharing images of genitalia unless they are verified as adults […]

[Additionally,] the Home Office wants to see operating systems that prevent any nudity being displayed on screen unless the user has verified they are an adult through methods such as biometric checks or official ID."

The UK government, at least for the time being, will not require this of devices sold in Britain but rather encourage it of the tech companies, noted Apple-focused site MacRumors.

Mashable has regularly covered the rapid spread of age-verification laws. While these policies may stem from the desire to protect kids, experts say they often prove ineffective while raising serious privacy concerns. Though, as Mashable's Anna Iovine reported, device-level filters might be the most ethical and effective way of enforcing age restrictions.