The UK’s National Crime Agency receives 1,700 child sexual abuse referrals every week. Last year, nine in 10 child abuse images were generated by children themselves, many tricked or blackmailed by abusers they met online. Online grooming cases have risen to 7,000 a year. On Monday, Keir Starmer responded with an ultimatum.
Speaking at London Tech Week, the prime minister told Apple and Google they have until September to activate software that blocks explicit images on children’s phones and tablets – or face legislation forcing them to do so. “This is not an impossible challenge,” he said. “These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it.”
“Starmer gives Apple and Google until September to block explicit images on children's phones or face fines and criminal liability.”
Under the plan, tech firms must activate nudity-detection algorithms to prevent users under 18 from taking or sharing images of genitalia unless they verify their age as an adult. If companies do not comply within three months, the government will bring forward legislation requiring the protections on all phones and tablets sold in the UK. Non-compliance could lead to fines or, as a last resort, criminal liability for senior managers.
The announcement follows the resignation last month of Jess Phillips as safeguarding minister, who claimed Starmer had failed to introduce changes to stop children taking naked images. Some Labour MPs have also urged the prime minister to legislate directly. Melanie Ward, the Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy, said: “It’s time to stop asking social media companies to make their products safe, and instead time to start requiring them to do so.”
A Google spokesperson said the company was “deeply committed to protecting children online” and was “working constructively with UK partners to find effective, privacy-preserving solutions”. Apple has not responded to a request for comment. Both companies already offer some tools: Apple’s Communication Safety feature warns children with Child Accounts when they send or receive nude images, while Google’s Messages app blurs sensitive content for users supervised by a parent or guardian.
The Home Office said the changes will prevent sexual predators from exploiting victims through devices and stop children accessing pornography. Adults will still be able to take, share or view nude content after verifying their age. Starmer said the UK would become the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images. “If they choose not, then we will act and we will change the law,” he warned.