what happened? Smartphone maker HMD (Human Mobile Devices) has launched a new smartphone designed to protect children from harmful content online, with AI capabilities that block nude.
- HMD fuse comes with a feature called Harmlock+
- Use AI to prevent children from filming and sending nude content, viewing and saving nude and sexual images.
- The company says the feature works in-camera and all apps.
- You can even block nude and sexual images in the live stream.
- Built-in parental controls allow parents to control their use and unlock certain features as their children age.
- This is not the first foray into children's mobile phones, as they launched the Fusion X1 earlier this year.
Because this is important: A recent Vodafone survey shows that one in five high school students (11-17) are under pressure to share explicit images of themselves.
- Meanwhile, 46% of parents admit that they are concerned about children receiving explicit images.
- Harblock AI, which drives Harblock+ functionality, is developed by the online safety company Safetonet.
- The AI model is ethically pre-trained with 22 million harmful nude images.
- The HMD also claims it is the first protective tool that children cannot detour.
Why should I care? If your child is a parent worried about content that can be accessed on a mobile phone, HMD fuses offers the level of safety and security that allows other mobile phones to approach.
- It incorporates many other safety features built into the fuse, including the ability to limit app access and screen time.
- There is also an option to turn on location tracking every 24 seconds with the ability to set up a safe zone. Parents can receive alerts when those zones are entered or terminated.
- It also provides default blocking for internet and social media apps.
- HMD says that Hughes can “grow” with their kids as parents can call, text, or place to lock down and unlock more features and apps as their children get older.
So, what's next? HMD Fughes is currently only available in the UK via carrier Vodafone and costs £33 per month (pre-price plus £30).
- HMD has confirmed that Hughes will arrive in other countries within the next few months, starting from Australia.
- There is no current or not as to whether it is available in the US.
- We contacted HMD about availability in the US, but the spokesman was able to confirm the current expansion plans to Australia and New Zealand only.
