Starmer gives Apple and Google ultimatum to block explicit images on children's phones

Keir Starmer has given Apple and Google until September to install software that blocks explicit images on children’s mobile phones – or face legislation enforcing the requirement. Speaking at London Tech Week on Monday, the prime minister said tech companies must activate nudity-detection algorithms or other technical solutions to prevent under-18s taking, sending or viewing sexually explicit images on smartphones and tablets unless they are verified as adults. “This is not an impossible challenge,” Starmer said. “These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it.” The ultimatum comes a month after Jess Phillips quit her post as safeguarding minister, claiming that Starmer had failed to introduce changes to halt the ability of children in the UK to take naked images of themselves. The government said 91% of online child sexual abuse reports recorded in 2024 contained self-generated content from children themselves, and the average child now views pornography by the age of 13. The UK’s National Crime Agency receives 1,700 referrals every week, while online grooming cases have risen to 7,000 a year. If the firms do not comply voluntarily within three months, the government will bring forward legislation requiring the protection to be added to all existing and newly-sold phones and tablets in the UK. Tech firms that fail to do so could face fines, and as a last resort, senior managers could be made criminally liable. “For too long, people have been told that [children sharing explicit images] is simply the price of modern tech – that nothing could be done,” Starmer said. “I reject that completely because tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way round.” A Google spokesperson said it was “deeply committed to protecting children online” and was “working constructively with UK partners to find effective, privacy-preserving solutions”. Apple already offers its Communication Safety feature, which warns children with a Child Account when they send or receive images containing nudity across Messages, AirDrop and FaceTime, and is turned on by default. The plans would not prevent adults who verify their age from accessing naked imagery. Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said tech companies “have a moral duty” to act. Starmer is also believed to be preparing to announce a crackdown on children’s access to social media within days.