Former British safeguarding minister Jess Phillips has called for a legal ban on nude photos on children’s phones. According to the Guardian, such a regulation could “largely eliminate” online child sexual exploitation if widely implemented.
The Home Office points to SafeToNet, whose technology is already capable of blocking such content on devices. However, protective measures are currently applied inconsistently, often switched off by default, or only blur images instead of blocking them.
Apple has become the first company to introduce age checks for iPhone users, activating safety features by default for minors. The British government is now working with technology companies to enforce similar requirements across all devices – without compromising adults’ privacy.
The planned rules would apply to all smartphones and tablets sold in the UK, both new and already in use. Operating system providers and retailers could also be held accountable. Adults would retain access to legal content through age verification.
Source: www.theguardian.com
