UK to turn into first ever nation to herald nude picture ban on telephones for teenagers, Keir Starmer broadcasts
In an ultimatum to tech bosses like Apple and Google, Keir Starmer has warned that they must roll out software preventing children from taking, sharing and receiving nude images on smartphones and devices
Groundbreaking new laws are being drawn up to protect kids, the PM announced(Image: Getty Images)
Britain will become the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share or view naked photos on their smartphone, Keir Starmer has announced.
In a major speech to tech chiefs in London, the PM gave firms like Apple and Google a three month ultimatum to act. He said they will be required to activate built-in features or bring in solutions to block explicit images on millions of devices used by children. Mr Starmer said the software giants have a moral responsibility to protect youngsters from online predators and prevent child sex abuse.
The PM said the government standing up to Elon Musk’s Grok AI tool over nudified image showed the government will stand up to tech giants. He said: “We will act with the same decisiveness.
“And one issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images. Now, for too long, people have been told that is simply the price of modern tech, that nothing could 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. And so if we’re serious about unlocking the opportunities that tech can bring, then we must also be serious about protecting our children from those who look to abuse it, from the online predators who target our children, and from the sexual abuse that they enable.
“That is why today I’m 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 the 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.”
Adults will have to go through a verification process in order to take, send or receive such images. The government is exploring legislation that could see bosses who fail to bring the measures in face jail time.
It comes as UK law enforcement agencies battle to tackle a growing epidemic of online sextortion – where young people are pressured into taking explicit images and then blackmailed.
The National Crime Agency (NCA) estimates that 90% of online child abuse images were taken by the victim. Campaigners warn that children are facing growing pressure to send intimate images
Pressure has been growing as technology is available which could stop the spread of material. Roxy Longworth, who suffered a horrendous ordeal when a photo she shared at the age of 13 was passed around her school, said protections must be rolled out.
The 23-year-old told the Sunday Mirror: “”I feel like I’m one of the lucky ones because I’m still alive. My mum reminds me often that that was very touch and go. I survived it, but lots of people don’t. And I think that’s even worse when there’s this technology out there that could be protecting them.
“It’s so easy to debate about whether or not these things should be put in place. And then you forget that kids are in their bedroom thinking their life is over.”
This will prevent predators from being able to exploit and abuse victims through their devices, as well as stopping children from being able to access pornography. Adults will still be able to take, share or view nude content through an age verification process.
Mr Starmer said if companies do not act within three months, the government will bring forward legislation to force them to activate the technology. This will include fines for companies – while it is also considering criminal liability for bosses.
The changes will apply to UK devices, including both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets.
