Censor Watch

The BBFC has said that it is now using an AI censor tool which scans streaming vidoes and creates reports for humans to review. It has used the tool to classify the entire UK catalogue of HBO Max which has recently started its UK service.

TV shows including Game of Thrones and Euphoria have received age ratings for the first time in the UK using the tool. It identifies content that triggers compliance issues, such as violence, nudity and bad language . The flagged scenes are then passed over to BBFC staff for human review.

As a result, all the HBO Max titles were assigned BBFC age ratings -- with Game of Thrones and Euphoria receiving an overall rating of 18, although some individual episodes were rated 15 -- for the platforms UK launch last month.

David Austin, the BBFC chief censor, described the use of AI for HBO Max content as a major step forward in how we support families to make safe and informed viewing decisions.

The BBFC said it had completed the classification of HBO Maxs entire catalogue in six months, a process that normally would have required 1,570 working days -- or more than four years -- of viewing from a compliance officer. The organisation said the final age ratings and content advice remained the sole responsibility of BBFC staff.

Apple is introducing ID/age checks for all iPhone and iPad users in the UK.

Once UK users accept the latest iOS 26.4 software update, they will be asked to verify their age to access age-restricted features and services. Onlly if they perform an ID check will their account will be configured to enable age-appropriate services.

If they choose not to, web content filters will be turned on automatically.

Apples support documentation on the change says that, depending on your country or region, different options might be available to confirm that yo'ure an adult. Potential options include using a credit card to verify age, using existing Apple account information, or uploading an identity document for age verification.

Privacy groups have been rightfully appalled; the BBC quotes Silkie Carlo, director of Big Brother Watch , who says the measure is more like ransomware.