LONDON — Keir Starmer delivered a speech on artificial intelligence at London Tech Week, where he announced that the government would pass legislation if technology companies do not prevent children from taking and receiving naked images on mobile devices. The proposed legislation would apply to both new and existing mobile devices, according to the Home Office.
The Home Office also stated that measures to prevent children from sharing naked images on phones are already in place but are not enforced by technology companies. Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch stated that Starmer lacks a detailed strategy for this issue. "I think the move today is an idea without a proper plan behind it. I don't want to see children being able to send nudes, but I don't know exactly how the government is looking at this. A much simpler way of dealing with these things is getting children off social media rather than piecemeal measures that are tackling the problems issue by issue." Badenoch said.
"I think that 16 is an appropriate age for children to start using social media." Badenoch said. The Conservative Party has previously advocated for a social media ban for individuals under that age. Rachel de Souza supported social media usage restrictions for individuals aged 16 and 17.
Former minister Jess Phillips expressed relief regarding the government's announcement. "My reaction is one of relief that this has happened. I look forward to working with the government on what the legislation needs to be to make sure that no child can ever be tricked in to taking naked images of themselves for the use of global paedophile networks." Phillips said. Phillips suggested her recent resignation from ministerial office may have prompted the prime minister to implement new phone regulations for children.