UK introduces bill after Apple and Google fail device safety target

The short version

• The UK set a three-month deadline requiring tech companies to block child nudity on devices, which arrived on Tuesday.[Wired]
• Officials stated that technical adjustments offered by Apple and Google do not match the scale of the problem.[Wired]
• New legislation would introduce corporate fines and potential criminal liability for executives if protective measures are not integrated into phones and tablets.[Wired]
• Apple pointed to its Communication Safety features, while messaging app Signal cautioned that such rules risk creating invisible surveillance infrastructure.[Wired]

Key facts

• The UK government established a three-month deadline requiring tech manufacturers to stop the viewing, capturing, or sharing of child nudity on devices.[Wired]
• Digital Secretary Lisa Nandy declared that the changes proposed by Apple and Google were insufficient for the crisis.[Wired]
• The newly introduced legislation outlines financial penalties and potential executive criminal liability for non-compliant device makers.[Wired]
• Apple defended its approach by highlighting plans to expand its existing Communication Safety protections.[Wired]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.

• Apple and Google Miss Deadline to Block Child Nudity on Their Phones in the UKWired metered