Keir Starmer to say ‘tech revolution must work for everyone’ in speech on AI – UK politics live

Prime minister to give speech on the government’s technology policy this morning Good morning. Two weeks today, it seems more likely than not that Andy Burnham will be taking his seat as the new MP for Makerfield. A byelection win is not certain, but the campaign is definitely going his way. Keir Starmer has been saying he won’t just stand aside and let Burnham replace him as Labour leader, but these briefings are being received with a hefty dose of scepticism. The unnamed minister quoted in tod
Keir Starmer has announced that tech companies must stop children from sending or receiving naked images of themselves, or the government will change the law.
double quotation mark One issue is the ability for children with phones to send and receive nude images.
For too long, people have been told that is simply the price of modern tech, that nothing can be done, that government is powerless, that parents just have to accept it.
I reject that completely, because tech should adapt to the needs of society, not the other way around.
That is why today I am calling on tech companies operating in this country to introduce device controls that prevent children from sending and receiving sexually explicit images.
Because this is not an impossible challenge. These are some of the most innovative companies in the world and I believe they can solve it.
But if they choose not to, then we will act and we will change the law because when it comes to the safety of our children, standing by is not an option.
When Jess Phillips resigned as safeguarding minister last month, she criticised Starmer for not acting more quickly to implement this plan . She said she was pushing for this more than a year ago.
Coverage from 7 sources
- Keir Starmer to say ‘tech revolution must work for everyone’ in speech on AI – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · Jun 8, 2026, 8:16 AM
- Keir Starmer gives speech on AI and technology policy – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · Jun 8, 2026, 8:34 AM
- Starmer says government will legislate if tech companies don’t stop children using phones to take naked images – UK politics liveGuardian - World · Andrew Sparrow · Jun 8, 2026, 9:01 AM
- Starmer says tech firms must stop children receiving or sending naked images or face new laws - UK politics live
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