Starmer says government will legislate if tech companies don’t stop children using phones to take naked images – UK politics live

Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced on June 8th, 2026, during a speech at London Tech Week, that the UK government will legislate to compel technology companies to prevent children from using their phones to take, share, or view naked images. This proposed ban, according to the Home Office, would be a world first, aiming to make it technically impossible for minors to engage in such activities on their devices. The plan requires major tech firms, including Apple and Google, to implement built-in features or technical solutions on smartphones and tablets that can detect and block nude images for underage users. Starmer emphasized the government's commitment to acting swiftly and decisively when technology poses a threat to citizens, particularly children, citing the recent issue with Grok's tools being used to create explicit images as an example of the need for such measures. The announcement signals a proactive stance by the UK government to address online harms and protect vulnerable youth in the digital age, placing the onus on technology providers to develop and deploy effective safeguards.