Sir Keir Starmer has told tech companies they must introduce device controls to prevent children sending or receiving explicit images, or the government will legislate to force the change.
The prime minister said that “the pace of change cannot be an excuse for harm”, as he rejected the idea parents must “accept” dangers of modern technology.
In a speech at London Tech Week, he 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.”
Former safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigned from Sir Keir’s government last month, after she claimed he refused to introduce such a law because he was “worried about tech bosses”.
She said in a letter that she presented a solution to introduce the measure a year ago, and it had taken her a year to convince Sir Keir to “threaten to legislate”.
Starmer gives tech companies ultimatum over children sending naked images
Technology companies have been given an ultimatum to stop children sending and receiving explicit images on their devices or face a change to the law, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
The government has given firms such as Apple and Google three months to implement changes or face new legislation.
In a speech at London Tech Week, the prime minister 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.”
He 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.”
He said this was not an “impossible challenge” and said his government were prepared to change the law as “standing by is not an option”.
Holly Evans8 June 2026 10:06
