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Starmer gives tech companies ultimatum to block explicit images on children’s phones
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◎ Multiple-sources
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.
Key facts
- Whitehall that while the Home Office was “100%” behind the proposal, there were concerns that the Treasury could be susceptible to lobbying from tech companies with the promise of extra investment
- One insider questioned whether the “tech bros in No 10”, a reference to advisers to Starmer, would also try to curb the plans
- Online grooming cases have risen to 7,000 a year in the UK, with organised criminal gangs and social media sites profiting from the sale and exchange of images and footage of abuse
- Clive Efford, the Labour MP for Eltham and Chislehurst, said the “sociopaths” running social media platforms had no concern for the welfare of children
Summary
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. 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.