Lisa Nandy has said the UK government will legislate to force Apple and Google to block explicit images on children's smartphones after negotiations ended without agreement, according to the Guardian.
Key facts
- The UK government will introduce legislation forcing Apple and Google to block explicit images on children's smartphones.
- Lisa Nandy said the move follows talks that ended without a breakthrough.
- The commitment puts ministers on what the Guardian described as a collision course with two of Silicon Valley's biggest companies.
- It comes months after the government announced a social media ban for under-16s.
- The announcement was reported by the Guardian on 8 September 2026.
The UK government has said it will introduce legislation to force Apple and Google to block explicit images on children’s smartphones, after talks with the two technology companies failed to produce a breakthrough, according to the Guardian.
Lisa Nandy said the government would proceed with legislation once a deadline for the talks passed without an agreement. The move signals ministers’ intention to compel the companies to act through the law rather than voluntary measures.
The commitment places the government on what the Guardian described as a collision course with two of the biggest players in Silicon Valley.
The planned legislation follows an earlier government announcement of a social media ban for under-16s, indicating a wider push to strengthen protections for children online.
According to the Guardian, the decision to legislate came after negotiations reached their deadline without a resolution, prompting the government to set out its intention to act through statute.
Why it matters
The move represents a significant escalation in the UK's efforts to regulate how major technology firms protect children online. If enacted, it would require two of the world's largest companies to change how their devices handle explicit content for younger users, with potential implications for the wider debate over online safety and children's access to smartphones.
Frequently asked questions
What is the UK government planning to do?
According to the Guardian, the government plans to introduce legislation forcing Apple and Google to block explicit images on children's smartphones after talks with the companies ended without a breakthrough.
Who announced the plan?
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the government would introduce the legislation, according to the Guardian.
How does this relate to other UK online safety measures?
The Guardian reports the commitment comes months after the government announced a social media ban for under-16s.