UK PM Starmer gives Apple and Google 3-month ultimatum on child safety

UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced a three-month ultimatum for Apple and Google to make it impossible for children to take, share, or view nude images on their smartphones and tablets. Speaking at London Tech Week, Starmer demanded that tech giants activate built-in safety features or develop new technological solutions to detect and block such content. The deadline applies to both existing and newly sold devices in the UK. Starmer warned that unless the firms act swiftly, the government will introduce legislation imposing fines and, as a last resort, criminal liability for tech bosses.

This move would require all adults to verify their age before they can take or view nude images on their devices. The government aims to shift the burden onto companies to proactively protect minors, rather than relying solely on parental controls or education. Failure to comply within three months will trigger new laws that could have significant financial and legal consequences for Apple and Google. The policy could set a global precedent for child safety regulations in the tech industry, affecting hundreds of millions of users.