Starmer gives tech firms ultimatum to block explicit images on children’s phones

Companies such as Apple and Google have until September to install software or face legislation, says PM Apple and Google have been given until September to install software that blocks explicit images on children’s mobile phones or face legislation to force them to do so, Keir Starmer said on Monday. The prime minister said tech companies must activate nudity-detection algorithms or other technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to prevent users taking photos or sharing images of genitalia unless they are verified as adults. If businesses do not comply within three months, legislation will be brought forward requiring the protection to be added to all phones and tablets sold in the UK. Tech firms that fail to do so could face fines, and their senior managers could be made criminally liable. Last month 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. However, some Labour MPs told the prime minister to “stop asking” the tech firms to make changes and legislate instead. Speaking at London Tech Week on Monday, Starmer said the plan meant