GoKawiilMillions of iPhone owners in the UK will be asked to verify they are over 18 in order to access several Apple services, following pressure from the UK government on smartphone makers to do more to protect children online.
The UK is believed to be the first European market where Apple is rolling out its new age controls, which are designed to ensure that only adults can download apps rated on its App Store as being suitable for over-18s.
Following an iOS software update that was pushed out on Wednesday, adults who do not verify their age will face restrictions on web browsing, as well as “communication safety” checks to their messages and FaceTime video calls, which are designed to detect nude photos and videos.
Many digital services, including social media apps and porn sites, have rolled out age verification in the UK following last year’s introduction of new rules under the Online Safety Act that impose tougher controls on what children can see and do online.
App stores and mobile operating systems are not covered by the Online Safety Act, but Ofcom, the UK media and telecoms regulator, welcomed Apple’s move on Wednesday.
“Apple’s decision that the UK will be one of the first countries in the world to receive new child safety protections on devices is a real win for children and families,” Ofcom said.
The UK government has pushed smartphone makers to do more to block explicit images on phones but have not yet made it mandatory for Apple and Google to do so.