British Prime Minister Issues Ultimatum to Tech Companies — Sky News
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has issued an ultimatum to leading tech companies, demanding that they prevent children from sending and receiving explicit images on their devices.
If developers do not implement the necessary tools on their own, the government will pass strict legislation requiring them to do so, under threat of heavy fines and criminal liability for executives.
Starmer emphasized that the problem of the uncontrolled spread of nude images among minors is one of the most serious challenges of our time, requiring an immediate solution.
He called on the tech industry to demonstrate social responsibility and deploy its best innovative resources to protect children from digital threats.
“I call on technology companies operating in this country to implement device controls that will prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world, and I believe they can solve this problem. But if they choose not to do so, then we will take action and change the law,” the British prime minister stated.
According to Sky News, the prime minister’s stern appeal was aimed primarily at the American corporations Apple and Google, which are the developers of the iOS and Android operating systems.
The government is convinced that these tech giants have the technical capability to integrate effective protection algorithms directly into the software of these devices.
Official London expects the companies to activate built-in features or implement new technical solutions on smartphones and tablets to detect and block images of nude children.
At the same time, the restrictions will in no way affect adult users, who will be able to freely use their devices after completing a quick age verification process.
Sky News reports on this.
Starmer refused to resign after Labour’s defeat
Already 41 Labour Party MPs have publicly called on British Prime Minister Keir Starmer to step down as party leader.
Earlier, Starmer spoke of growing tensions in relations with the U.S.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, during which they discussed increasing pressure on the aggressor. The leaders paid particular attention to the fight against the Russian shadow fleet and London’s contributions to the PURL program to strengthen the Ukrainian army.
