Vodafone UK has an exclusive deal to distribute the HMD Fuse, claimed to be the world’s first smartphone that blocks children from creating, sharing or receiving nude content.
The handset, developed by HMD in partnership with online safety specialists SafeToNet, is aimed at the “first phone” market for children. It launches today (20 August) in Vodafone retail and online channels, priced from £33 a month with a £30 upfront cost.
HMD is pitching Fuse as a new category of smartphone designed to give parents peace of mind while still allowing retailers and operators to serve a high-demand segment. Surveys show 85 per cent of parents plan to buy their child a phone before secondary school, but nearly half are worried about exposure to explicit content.
The Fuseccmbines “HarmBlock” AI, which prevents nude content being captured or viewed across all apps and livestreams, with built-in parental controls covering app access, screen time, location tracking, and safe-zone alerts.
James Robinson, VP of HMD Family, said: “This is the most impactful smartphone launch of the year. Fuse creates an entirely new category that puts child safety at the centre of the experience, giving parents confidence to buy a phone earlier – and giving the channel a brand-new growth driver.”\
HMD says Fuse anticipates families are more likely to stay withi ther HMD brand as children progress from their first phone into full smartphone usage.
SafeToNet founder Richard Pursey described the Fuse as “the first phone that makes pornography incompatible,” while the Internet Watch Foundation and UK government have both welcomed the move.
The Fuse will alsp be available to Three customers. HMD says that more family-focused devices will be brought out soomn
