Stop Kids From Taking And Sharing Nudity, UK Prime Minister Tells Tech Companies

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Monday called on technology companies operating in the UK to prevent children from taking, sending and receiving nude images. If they fail to do so, the UK will change the law, he said.

“I’m calling on technology companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving pornographic images,” Starmer said in a speech at London Tech Week. “This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the best companies in the world and I believe they can solve it, but if they choose not to, then we will take action.”

The British government is asking technology companies, including Apple and Google, to implement device-level controls to prevent nude images of children within the next three months. It wants the technology to be available in all new phones as well.

“Google is deeply committed to protecting children online. We are working constructively with our UK partners to find effective, privacy-preserving solutions that prevent the spread of harmful content while ensuring a safe digital environment for young people,” a Google spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

An Apple representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Starmer is also proposing new laws to ban social media for under-16s, similar to the law the ban is already in place in Australiaaccording to the Times.

Many children, especially teenagers, take, share and receive nude photos without their parents noticing. This behavior is illegal and puts children at risk of kidnapping, bullying, sexual abuse or child exploitation. The UK is the first country to require technology companies to help keep children safe by preventing them from taking nude photos and sharing them online.

In a statement supporting Starmer’s announcement about device controls, the UK’s National Crime Agency said the restrictions have the potential to stop some of the worst forms of online child sexual abuse before they start.

“Many serious crimes begin with offenders forcing children to make and share sexual images of themselves,” said Graeme Biggar, director general of the NCA. “Once those images are there, they can be used to manipulate, humiliate and abuse again and again. Preventing children from taking, sharing or accessing nude images can stop abuse before it starts and is an important step forward.”

But not everyone welcomed Starmer’s comments. “Protecting children online is important, but these bad plans will not solve the problem of the internet,” Silkie Carlo, director of human rights group Big Brother Watch, said in a statement. “This will result in everyone’s identity being checked so we can all use our phones, tablets and laptops.”

Starmer’s request is not designed to prevent adults from taking and posting nudes, but efforts to make the Internet safer for young people may also affect adults online. I UK Cyber ​​Security Act requires many corners of the Internet, including Reddit, to verify the age of people accessing their services. In the same way, it is possible that this application could lead to people verifying their identity in order to use the device without child lock.