LONDON — Keir Starmer stated on Monday that Apple and Google have until September to install software blocking explicit images on children's mobile phones or face new U.K. legislation. The Prime Minister announced these technology safety measures during a speech at London Tech Week.
The proposed legislation would require tech companies operating in the U.K. to activate nudity-detection algorithms or other technical solutions on smartphones and tablets. These solutions would prevent users from taking photos or sharing images of genitalia unless verified as adults. If companies do not comply within three months, legislation will be introduced requiring explicit image blocking protections on all phones and tablets sold in the U.K.
The U.K. Home Office stated that the proposed measures will restrict device usage to prevent grooming and limit children's access to pornography. Adults will be permitted to take, share, or view nude content through an age verification process. Apple and Google operating systems feature sensitive content warnings for younger users that can be bypassed with a passcode.
Starmer said that he rejects the idea that nothing could be done to address children sharing explicit images, stating, "For too long, people have been told that [children sharing explicit images] is simply the price of modern tech – that nothing could be done. That government is powerless. That parents just have to accept it." He added, "I reject that completely because tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way round. If we are serious about unlocking the opportunities that tech can bring then we must also be serious about preventing those who want to abuse it. That is why today, I am calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce vice controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images."
Prior to this announcement, Jess Phillips resigned from her position as safeguarding minister. Phillips claimed that Starmer failed to introduce changes to prevent children in the U.K. from taking naked images of themselves. "Over a year ago I presented solutions, long worked on by brilliant civil servants, that would end the ability for children in the U.K. to take naked images of themselves." Phillips said. She added, "It has taken me a year to get you to agree to even threaten to legislate in this space. This is the definition of incremental change. The announcement was meant to be in March."