Tech firms must stop children from sending and receiving explicit images online or the Government will legislate to force them, Sir Keir Starmer has said.
Ministers are expected to announce plans to force companies such as Google and Apple to stop young people using their devices to share naked photos alongside a ban on social media for under-16s.
In a speech at London Tech Week on Monday, 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.
“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.”
Jess Phillips said she felt “relief” at the Prime Minister’s call for tech firms to stop children sending or receiving explicit images.
The safeguarding former minister, who cited the issue in her resignation letter last month, said: “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.”
Sir Keir insisted Britain was uniquely placed to lead the world in the technological revolution.
He added that the UK had the potential to benefit from the growth in artificial intelligence.
It was “a revolution with the potential to transform lives, to strengthen communities, and create opportunities right across the country and a revolution that Britain is uniquely placed to lead”, Sir Keir said.
“Britain is the third-largest technology economy in the world.
“Our start-ups have raised close to half of all European investment in tech this year.”
