The UK government is considering forcing Apple and Google to implement age checks on their operating systems for users under 16, as part of a broader social media ban for minors. The proposed legislation aims to protect children online and could come into effect by spring 2027.
This proposed legislation represents a significant government intervention into the digital lives of minors, potentially placing substantial new responsibilities on major technology companies like Apple and Google for age verification, with implications for user privacy and online safety.
The UK government is advancing plans for a significant social media ban targeting individuals under the age of 16, with a proposed implementation date of early 2027. Ministers are exploring a novel enforcement mechanism that could compel technology giants Apple and Google to integrate age verification directly into their device operating systems, iOS and Android, respectively. This approach would shift the responsibility for age assurance from individual social media platforms to the device manufacturers themselves, potentially requiring checks during initial device setup.
The initiative, championed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, is described by Downing Street as a measure to "give children back their childhoods" and is modelled partly on Australia's existing social media ban for minors. However, British plans aim to be more comprehensive, including restrictions on livestreaming, communication with unknown adults on gaming platforms, and AI chatbots with romantic or sexual features. Legislation is anticipated to pass before the end of the year, with the goal of having the measures in force by spring 2027.
While government officials see potential in device-level age verification for ease of use, privacy advocacy groups like the Open Rights Group have raised concerns. They warn that mandating such checks could necessitate users uploading sensitive personal data or biometric information, creating new privacy risks. Furthermore, research from Australia indicates that teenagers have found ways to bypass existing bans, often through VPNs or inaccurate age declarations. Tech companies like Meta have also cautioned that blanket bans could push children toward less secure, anonymous services.