Social media ban latest: Starmer demands tech companies clamp down to protect children

Social media ban latest: Starmer demands tech companies clamp down to protect children Tech companies such as Apple or Google told to introduce device controls to protect children - Bookmark - CommentsGo to comments 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. The new rules are designed to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images, with the government issuing a three month deadline. 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”. Mahmood says tech firms have a 'moral duty to act' 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.” ‘Desperately sad’ Starmer’s tech ultimatum has taken so long, Lib Dems say The Liberal Democrat’s deputy leader has said it is “deeply sad” that Sir Keir Starmer has taken so long to tell tech companies to prevent children sending or receiving explicit images. Daisy Cooper criticised Sir Keir Starmer for failing to act sooner, accusing him of instead choosing to make the announcement “in the context of a leadership challenge”. “I just find it desperately sad that it has taken almost two years for the prime minister to do this,” she told a press conference on Monday. “I think it's desperately sad that he's now doing it in the context of a leadership challenge rather than doing it because it's the right thing to do.” She added: “I hope we do see genuine action by the prime minister, but I find it deeply sad that he hasn't acted much sooner.” Governments gives tech firms three month deadline. If companies do not act within three months, the government has said it will bring forward legislation to force them to activate the technology. This will include fines for companies, and the Home Office has said they will explore criminal liability for tech bosses who fail to comply. The government wants Apple and Google to block nudity across the whole device by default, so this only be deactivated if you verify that you are older than 18. Tech firms must activate features to detect nude images The government wants firms to activate built-in features on their devices or come up with technological solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block nude images from children. The changes will apply to both existing and newly sold smartphones and tablets in the UK. Legislation could cover operating system 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. Starmer ‘set to announce under-16s social media ban’ Sir Keir Starmer is reportedly poised to announce a ban on social media for under-16s within the next 10 days as the children’s tsar called for an extension to cover teenagers up to 18 years old. The prime minister is said to be preparing to unveil plans to restrict children's online activity to protect them from harmful content, following a nationwide consultation that closed last month. London mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has already thrown his weight behind the proposal, saying tech firms must prove their services are safe for children or face a ban on being available to under-16s. Ministers have been mulling evidence from Australia, which imposed a blanket ban in December. The Sun on Sunday reported the UK clampdown will exclude a number of apps. Read the full article here: Starmer ‘set to announce under-16s social media ban’ NSPCC has warned 'time is up for big tech' Children’s charity the NSPCC has welcomed the Government’s announcement on tackling explicit images, insisting “time is up for big tech”. NSPCC chief executive Chris Sherwood, said: “Online grooming, sexual exploitation and the proliferation of child sexual abuse material could be prevented if tech companies did the right thing and introduced nudity blocking technology on children’s phones. “Every day these protections are not in place, more children will continue to face devastating harm in the online world. That’s why we strongly support Government’s decision to make it mandatory for these companies to block inappropriate material at device level. This marks a major step forward in our fight against online child sexual abuse. “Time is up for big tech. “Now Government must focus on holding them to account to ensure this transformational change for young people’s safety is quickly delivered.” Jess Phillips welcomes Starmer's ultimatum to tech companies Jess Phillips has praised Sir Keir Starmer's ultimatum for tech companies to introduce controls preventing children sending or receiving explicit images. The former safeguarding minister, who resigned from government in May, previously said she had been calling on the prime minister to introduce the measures for over a year. She told The Independent the harm she had seen is "unimaginable to most", and said: "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. "I will work with the government on the strongest possible legislation backstop that stops children being duped and then groomed by paedophiles to take and send naked images. The harm I have seen is unimaginable to most." 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”. Join our commenting forum Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies Comments