'Nudity filters' planned for all phones as Sheffield MP backs legislation to tackle child sexual exploitation
“Children and young people in Sheffield Heeley should be able to use technology without being exposed to the risks of sexual exploitation, abuse and grooming”
A Sheffield MP who has risen to one of the most important positions in Cabinet has laid out her intention of pushing forward new legislation on technologies to stop children “being exposed to the risk of sexual exploitation.”
Louise Haigh, who now acts as First Secretary of State, has said that the Government has been working with leading tech providers at Google and Apple since June 8 as the legislation was drafted.
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The plan is that companies will introduce ‘device-level protections’ on all mobile phones which stop them being able to access or send nude images.
Nudity detection filters have been proposed on all devices as a default, with a ‘robust age-assurance process’ for these restrictions to be lifted.
It is hoped that the legislation will make it impossible for anyone under 18 to take, view or send nude images on their devices, with stronger device-level safeguards built directly into technology with the intention of tackling grooming, exploitation and abuse.
There is currently no timeframe for when these changes may be introduced, however Ms Haigh - who represents the Sheffield Heeley constituency - has suggested it will be ‘as soon as possible’.
It is understood the Government is currently working to make the legislation as effective as possible, while respecting users’ privacy.
Louise Haigh MP said: “Children and young people in Sheffield Heeley should be able to use technology without being exposed to the risks of sexual exploitation, abuse and grooming.
“For too long, the pace of technological change has moved faster than the protections available to children. We cannot simply accept that as inevitable.
“This legislation will put stronger protections directly into the technology children use every day.
“Parents and carers should not have to become experts in complicated settings just to keep their children safe. The responsibility must also sit with the companies designing and providing these services.
“Last year I spoke out about the urgent need for proper regulation of artificial intelligence, following the disgusting deepfake images being created and circulated on X through its chatbot, Grok. The sexual manipulation of images, particularly of women and children is appalling, and it is a clear sign that the current system is failing to keep people safe online.”