The UK government is exploring new laws that would require technology companies to prevent children from taking or sharing nude images on their mobile devices. This comes after the government gave Apple and Google, the makers of the most common smartphone operating systems in the UK, three months in June to block access to such content on devices used by under-18s. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy MP said that while both companies had made "significant commitments," the current proposals do not fully address the scale of the problem. She emphasized that the government would move quickly to introduce legislation, potentially revisiting the timeline if the companies implement solutions sooner. The draft legislation would also require app providers that are commonly used by children to introduce similar blocks on nude imagery. Nandy explained that this would create a comprehensive change across the digital ecosystem, aiming to reduce the opportunities for children to be abused or groomed online. While Apple and Google have already introduced features to block nudity on children's devices, Nandy said more action is needed to ensure the safety of young users. Apple mentioned its Communication Safety feature, launched in 2021 to prevent children from viewing or sharing nudity, and stated it continues to improve these tools. Google also highlighted its efforts in combating non-consensual intimate imagery and improving child safety across its products. Organizations and charities have welcomed the government's proposals, calling for stronger measures to prevent children from both viewing and capturing nude images on smartphones. Data from Ofcom shows that an increasing number of younger children in the UK now own smartphones, with the trend becoming more pronounced as they grow older. The NSPCC, a child protection charity, has warned that content filmed on a child's device can be the starting point for grooming, sexual extortion, and other forms of online abuse. UK police chiefs have said that restricting children’s ability to take or share nude images would be a key step in preventing sextortion. Supporters of the legislation, including Chris Sherwood of the NSPCC, have called for swift action, saying that the government must not delay further. Andy Burrows of the Molly Rose Foundation described the process of securing the proposals as "needlessly long and torturous" but emphasized their importance. The original proposal was part of the government’s strategy to tackle violence against women and girls, though it faced criticism for being slow to implement. While the new law would not prevent adults from accessing nude content, it could require verifying whether a phone or app user is an adult or a child. Critics from the Open Rights Group have raised concerns about potential surveillance, such as scanning private images by default. The government has denied these claims, stating the move is not about surveillance.