Starmer tells Apple and Google to ban nude images on children's phones
Firms will be expected to activate built-in features to stop children accessing sexually explicit images.
Coverage by Political Leaning
See how different sides of the spectrum reported this story
Notable Quotes
"This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it."
— Sir Keir Starmer , Politician
"Today, I am calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce vice controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"It’s time to stop asking social media companies to make their products safe, and instead time to start requiring them to do so through regulation."
— Melanie Ward , Politician
"The only message that they’re going to listen to is if there’s legislation put before this house that is going to act and send a clear message to them."
— Clive Efford , Politician
"Firms will be expected to activate built-in features to stop children accessing sexually explicit images."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"we will change the law … when it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option"
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"One issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"This is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"Legislation could cover operating system providers and others in the supply chain, such as retailers, and will not affect the use of devices owned and used by adults who verify their age."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"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."
— Sir Keir Starmer , Politician
"I’m glad that the government have announced this: the three-month window for Google and Apple to make all device and operating systems block the taking of naked images of children is perfectly possible."
— Jess Phillips , Politician
"One issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images."
— Keir Starmer , Politician
"This is not an impossible challenge – these are some of the most innovative companies in the world. But if they choose not to, then we will act and change the law."
— Sir Keir Starmer , Politician
Key People
Clive Efford is the Labour MP for Eltham and Chislehurst.
Jess Phillips is a Labour MP and former safeguarding minister.
British Prime Minister and leader of the Labour Party.
Leader of the Conservative Party and Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden.
Melanie Ward is the Labour MP for Cowdenbeath and Kirkcaldy.
Leader of the Labour Party and Member of Parliament for Holborn and St Pancras.
Locations
Tags
All Coverage
Firms will be expected to activate built-in features to stop children accessing sexually explicit images.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged tech companies like Apple and Google to block access to explicit images on smartphones and other devices for under-18s, with a three-month deadline before potential legislation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given Apple and Google a three-month ultimatum to prevent children from sending nude images on their smartphones, with potential legislation if they fail to comply.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given tech firms three months to implement measures preventing children from accessing nude images on their devices, or face legislation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered tech companies to introduce device controls to prevent children from sending or receiving explicit images, or face government legislation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given Apple and Google a three-month ultimatum to make it impossible for children to take, share, or view nude images on their smartphones, with potential legislation if they fail to comply.
The UK government has instructed tech companies such as Apple and Google to block access to nude images on smartphones and tablets for under-18s, with a three-month deadline before potential legislation is introduced.
The UK government's initiative to prevent children from accessing explicit content on devices has sparked privacy concerns, with critics arguing it could lead to mass surveillance and infringe on online anonymity.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged tech giants Apple and Google to develop solutions that prevent children from sending, receiving, or viewing nude images on their devices, with a three-month deadline before potential legislation.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has given Apple and Google until September to implement software that blocks explicit images on children's mobile phones, or face legislation enforcing the requirement.
The UK government has announced plans requiring tech companies like Apple and Google to activate built-in features or develop technical solutions to detect and block nude images for children, with a three-month deadline before potential legislation.
Similar Stories
Related coverage based on topic and tags
Big tech firms must stop young people circulating nude images, says UK PM Starmer - Reuters
Big tech firms must stop young people circulating nude images, says UK PM Starmer Reuters
June 8, 2026 at 08:03 PMUK PM Starmer set to ban 'harmful' social media for under-16s - Reuters
UK PM Starmer set to ban 'harmful' social media for under-16s Reuters
June 8, 2026 at 08:05 PMApple unveils Siri AI makeover as Tim Cook bids farewell
The technology giant also revealed a series of new child safety features amid widespread scrutiny over "nudification" apps.
June 8, 2026 at 09:08 PMCanada proposes teen social media ban - with workaround for tech firms
The bill includes sweeping measures to curtail "harmful content" online and would create a regulator.
June 10, 2026 at 11:12 PMCanada introduces legislation to ban social media for children under 16, regulate AI chatbots - Reuters
Canada introduces legislation to ban social media for children under 16, regulate AI chatbots Reuters
June 10, 2026 at 08:53 PMFrom Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children's social media access - Reuters
From Australia to Europe, countries move to curb children's social media access Reuters
June 8, 2026 at 04:11 PM