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A 3D-printed Google logo is placed on an Apple MacBook. / Reuters-Yonhap News

The British government has called on major technology companies, including Apple and Google, to take stronger measures to prevent minors from accessing pornographic content on smartphones.

According to the BBC and other media outlets, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said at London Tech Week on Sunday that technology companies must introduce immediate safeguards to prevent children from creating, sharing or viewing nude images and pornography through smartphones and tablets.

Starmer urged operating system providers such as Apple and Google to activate existing safety features or update their software to block minors' access to pornographic content by default.

"If they are among the most innovative companies in the world, this is a problem they should be able to solve," he said.

The UK government warned that if companies fail to take voluntary action, it will pursue legislation within three months.

The proposed measures could include financial penalties and, ultimately, criminal liability for companies that fail to comply.

Officials said the requirements could apply not only to newly sold devices in the UK but also to smartphones and tablets already in use. Adult users, however, would still be able to access content after completing age-verification procedures.

Google said in a statement that it is deeply committed to protecting children online and is working with the UK government to find solutions that both prevent harmful content from spreading and safeguard user privacy.

Apple did not immediately comment.

Apple currently offers a Communication Safety feature that warns minors when they send or receive explicit images through Messages, AirDrop or FaceTime. Google also provides a sensitive-image blurring function in its Android Messages app for parent-managed accounts.

The UK government pointed to AI-powered content-detection technologies developed by child-safety firms as evidence that smartphone-based detection and blocking of explicit images is already commercially viable.

The proposal has nevertheless raised concerns among some privacy advocates, who argue that such measures could infringe on users' privacy rights.

The government is also considering restrictions on social media use by children under the age of 16.

                                                                                                            Jeong A-reum