Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has issued a stark warning to technology giants such as Apple and Google, demanding they prevent children from sending and receiving explicit images on their devices or face a change in the law. The Government wants firms to activate built-in features or develop technological solutions to detect and block nude images on smartphones and tablets, covering both existing and newly sold devices in the UK.
Legislation Could Cover Operating Systems and Retailers
Officials indicated that legislation could extend to operating systems like Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android, as well as other points in the supply chain, including retailers selling phones and tablets. Importantly, the changes will not affect devices owned and used by adults who verify their age.
Starmer's Speech at London Tech Week
Speaking at London Tech Week, Starmer declared: “One issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images. For too long, people have been told that is simply the price of modern tech, that nothing can be done, that Government is powerless, that parents just have to accept it. I reject that completely, because tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way around.”
He added: “That is why today I am calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images. Because this is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it. But if they choose not to, then we will act and we will change the law because when it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option.”
NSPCC Welcomes Announcement
Children’s charity the NSPCC has welcomed the Government’s announcement, insisting “time is up for big tech.” NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood said: “Online grooming, sexual exploitation and the proliferation of child sexual abuse material could be prevented if tech companies did the right thing and introduced nudity blocking technology on children’s phones. Every day these protections are not in place, more children will continue to face devastating harm in the online world. That’s why we strongly support Government’s decision to make it mandatory for these companies to block inappropriate material at device level. This marks a major step forward in our fight against online child sexual abuse. Time is up for big tech. Now Government must focus on holding them to account to ensure this transformational change for young people’s safety is quickly delivered.”
Criticism from Former Safeguarding Minister
Labour MP Jess Phillips, who resigned as safeguarding minister at the Home Office earlier this year, accused Sir Keir of being slow to threaten legislation on preventing children taking naked images of themselves, despite the technology being available. In her resignation letter, she said: “We could make this possible on every phone and device in the country. We could stop this abuse. It has taken me a year to get you to agree to even threaten to legislate in this space. Not legislate, just threaten. This is the definition of incremental change. Nothing bold about it. The announcement was meant to be in March, I’m still on a promise this will happen in June, I’ve given up believing it.”
