See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy JAMES TAPSFIELD, UK POLITICAL EDITOR Published: 11:54 BST, 8 June 2026 | Updated: 11:57 BST, 8 June 2026
Keir Starmer has vowed a legal ban on children being able to send and receive nude images - if tech firms do not act.The PM has set a deadline of September for companies such as Apple and Google to enforce restrictions voluntarily, or face legislation.The ultimatum comes amid mounting pressure from Labour MPs - as Sir Keir struggles to cling on to his job. In a speech at London Tech Week, the premier said: 'One issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images.'For too long, people have been told that is simply the price of modern tech, that nothing can be done, that Government is powerless, that parents just have to accept it.'I reject that completely, because tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way around.' Keir Starmer has set a deadline of September for companies such as Apple and Google to enforce restrictions voluntarily, or face legislationHe added: 'That is why today I am calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images.'Because this is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it.'But if they choose not to, then we will act and we will change the law because when it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option.'The changes will apply to both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets in the UK.Legislation could cover operating systems such as Apple's iOS and Google's Android and other forms in the supply chain, such as retailers selling phones and tablets.Officials said changes will not affect the use of devices owned and used by adults who verify their age.Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood said: 'As a society, we have not kept pace with the changing threats that children face. Abuse online is far too common, and we will not tolerate it.'Tech companies have a moral duty to act, by making it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images. If they don't, we will legislate.'Officials said Apple was already taking action with age checks for iPhone users, making it the first company to activate safety features by default for under-18s.But nudity detection is not applied to the camera, third-party messaging apps or search functions, meaning children can still take, view, share and save naked pictures.Labour MP Jess Phillips resigned as safeguarding minister at the Home Office earlier this year, accusing Sir Keir of being slow to threaten legislation on preventing children taking naked images of themselves, despite the technology being available. Ms Phillips said today: 'My reaction is one of relief that this has happened.'I look forward to working with the Government on what the legislation needs to be to make sure that no child can ever be tricked into taking naked images of themselves for the use of global paedophile networks.'Kemi Badenoch said the PM needs to get children off social media rather than taking 'piecemeal' action.The Tory leader insisted: 'I think the move today is an idea without a proper plan behind it. Labour MP Jess Phillips resigned as safeguarding minister at the Home Office earlier this year, accusing Sir Keir of being slow to threaten legislation on preventing children taking naked images of themselves, despite the technology being available'I don't want to see children being able to send nudes, but I don't know exactly how the government is looking at this.'A much simpler way of dealing with these things is getting children off social media rather than piecemeal measures that are tackling the problems issue by issue.'We've got to go much further than that.'Asked whether she would back a ban on social media that goes up to the age of 18, she said: 'I think that 16 is an appropriate age for children to start using social media.'
