Tech Update: Will adult photos be hidden without age verification? Apple and Google could face stricter regulations..

The British government is preparing to take a major step regarding children's online safety. According to reports, Apple and Google may be asked to prevent the viewing and sharing of adult images on iOS and Android devices without age verification. This proposal could be introduced under the UK's Online Safety Act. If implemented, this would be a significant regulatory change for tech companies.

UK Government May Introduce New Rule
According to a Financial Times report, the UK government may engage in discussions with Apple and Google to implement controls at the device level. This would prevent users from viewing or sharing adult images until their age is verified. This rule could apply to both iOS and Android platforms. However, there has been no official confirmation from the government yet.

Why is there increasing pressure on age verification?
Age verification has become a major issue in the global tech industry. Companies like Meta already want Google and Apple to take on this responsibility on their platforms. Recently, Australia began implementing a social media ban for children under 16, which has intensified discussions about stricter regulations in other countries, including the UK.

Proposal Linked to Online Safety Act
According to the report, this UK proposal will work in conjunction with the Online Safety Act. Under the existing law, age verification is mandatory for websites and apps that display pornography. The UK regulator Ofcom has made it clear that simply stating that a user is over 18 will no longer be sufficient. This indicates that stricter measures may be implemented in the future.

What do Apple and Google say?
So far, Apple and Google have not confirmed whether any formal discussions are underway with the government on this issue. According to the Financial Times, the policy is currently under consideration. If implemented, it would be the first time that age verification for adult content is mandated at the device level. This could impact both user privacy and the responsibilities of tech companies.

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