More than 100 members of parliament have endorsed a campaign by the NSPCC urging major technology companies to implement stronger measures to prevent child sexual abuse on their platforms. The cross-party group signed a letter calling on Apple and Google to introduce features that block nude imagery on smartphones, aiming to curb the spread of child sexual abuse material (CSAM).
In June, government officials set a three-month deadline for tech firms to adopt controls designed to protect children online, warning that legislation would be enacted if voluntary action proved insufficient. Since that announcement, police have recorded approximately 11,400 cases related to child sexual abuse content—an average of about 100 cases per day—according to NSPCC figures.
MPs emphasized that further delays in deploying effective safeguards risk exposing more children to abuse, particularly when the technology required to prevent the distribution and creation of such material is reportedly available. The NSPCC and other activists argue that tech companies should introduce these restrictions proactively rather than awaiting new legal mandates.
Chris Sherwood, chief executive of the NSPCC, urged technology firms to leverage their vast resources toward preventing the creation of abusive images, saying, "Big tech has the solution available, so what are they waiting for? It’s up to them to direct their huge resources into tech that stops children from being able to take these images in the first place."
The government has described ongoing negotiations with Apple and Google aimed at reaching voluntary agreements to enhance child protection features. However, officials acknowledged that current proposals fall short of the government’s broader objectives.
Apple highlighted its Communication Safety feature, designed to deter children from viewing or sharing nude content, calling the initiative “groundbreaking” and indicating plans to expand its capabilities. Google also reaffirmed its commitment to combating non-consensual intimate imagery and promoting child safety, emphasizing ongoing efforts to protect younger users.
The call for immediate action reflects growing concerns over the proliferation of child sexual abuse material online, with lawmakers and child protection organizations pressing technology companies to prioritize child safety measures ahead of any statutory requirements.