Firms face potential legislation, fines, and liability if safeguards are not introduced within three months
London: UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called on major technology companies operating in the UK to introduce safety measures on children’s devices to prevent the sharing of nude images, warning they could face legislation if they fail to act.
Under the proposed measures, companies such as Apple and Google would be required to build or activate technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images for children. Adults would still be able to access such content through an age verification process.
“Today I’m calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images,” Starmer said during a speech at London Tech Week. “This is not an impossible challenge.”
According to a government statement, companies will be given three months to implement the required safeguards. If they fail to comply, the government will move forward with legislation to enforce the measures.
The statement added that the proposed legislation could include fines for non-compliant companies. It also noted that, as a last resort, the government is considering extending criminal liability to technology executives who do not meet the requirements.
