UK PM demands tech firms block explicit images on children's phones by September or face legislation (theguardian.com)

• Starmer sets September deadline for Apple and Google to install nudity-detection software.
• Failure to comply would trigger legislation with fines and criminal liability.
• 90% of child abuse images are now self-generated by children, driving the urgency.

"UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer gave Apple and Google until September 2026 to install software that blocks explicit images on children's smartphones, or the government will introduce legislation requiring such protections on all devices sold in the UK. The ultimatum comes amid rising child sexual abuse referrals, with the National Crime Agency receiving 1,700 weekly referrals and nine in ten abuse images now generated by children. Tech firms failing to comply could face fines and criminal liability for senior managers. Civil liberties groups have raised privacy concerns about the proposed measures."