UK Urges Apple, Google to Add Nudity Detection to iOS, Android

The United Kingdom government is preparing to urge Apple and Google to integrate nudity-detection algorithms into their mobile operating systems, iOS and Android, to prevent users from capturing, sharing, or viewing explicit images without first verifying their age. The initiative, expected to be announced in the coming days, targets protections for children and aims to reduce violence against women and girls, according to officials from the Home Office.

Under the proposed measures, devices would block the display of nude content by default, requiring adult users to undergo age verification through methods such as biometric scans or government-issued identification. This system would operate at the operating system level, affecting all apps rather than individual platforms like messaging services or social media. For instance, it would extend beyond native apps such as Apple's Messages or Google Messages to third-party applications including WhatsApp and Snapchat, necessitating coordination among developers. The focus begins with smartphones but could later include desktop computers.

The push aligns with the UK's Online Safety Act, which mandates age checks for sites and apps...