Apple and Google face UK social media ban as Keir Starmer issues Big Tech deadline

Tech companies such as Google and Apple could face sanctions from the UK government if they do not adhere to the new changes announced by Keir Starmer.

Online safety has become a key priority for the Labour government in recent months, especially considering the development of artificial intelligence, which has sadly allowed disturbed users to generate sexualised images of women and children on the internet.

After a sexual offences lawyer warned LADbible about the 'explosion' of illegal images that are likely to surface thanks to AI, it was always likely that the UK government would step in to try and protect under 16s on the internet.

We've already seen the UK introduce age limitations on adult websites such as Pornhub, with OFCOM threatening major fines to websites who do not comply, and it seems as if the next step will prevent children from seeing any X-rated images on the internet at all.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer confirmed at London Tech Week yesterday (Monday 8 June), that Big Tech companies must now activate built-in features or implement technical solutions on smartphones and tablets in the next three months, to ensure that children cannot access nude images of any kind.

Starmer confirmed the news at London Tech Week (Isabel Infantes - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Starmer said: "When it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option. Nobody gets a free pass. That is why I’m making sure Britain is the first country in the world to make it impossible for children to take, share or view nude images.

"And I expect tech firms to make that happen. This is not an impossible challenge – these are some of the most innovative companies in the world. But if they choose not to, then we will act and change the law."

Although a blanket social media ban has been discussed by the government, with Australia already reaping the benefits of that change, it seems as if this will be the only change for now, with adults still permitted to take and share nude images through an age verification process, with it hoped that Britain will become the first country in the world to stop children from taking, sharing or viewing nude images.

Companies have been given just three months to implement these new changes, with Starmer warning that fines or even criminal liability could follow if they fail to comply.

Apple has already introduced some new age verification laws in the UK (Ming Yeung/Getty Images)

Technology Secretary Liz Kendall added: "No parent should have to worry that giving their child a smartphone opens the door to abuse and exploitation.

"We are holding social media platforms to account and will soon announce our next steps to keep children safe online. But this doesn’t stop with platforms; the devices themselves are part of the problem – and they can be part of the solution.

"Companies should switch these protections on by default, for every child, on every device. We are giving them three months to show us that they will do the right thing."

Apple has already made steps in this direction after it introduced its new age verification process to ensure that no under 18s were accessing adult content.

It is hoped that the reduction in sexualised content available to children will also help to dispel the alarming growth in misogynistic and sexually violent attitudes being adopted by many young boys, something which was summarised brilliantly in the hit Netflix show Adolescence.