Leading a cross-party call for Apple and Google to strengthen child protection measures

PRESS RELEASE FROM ALISTAIR STRATHERN MP

THURSDAY 1^st OCTOBER 2026

Alistair Strathern, MP for Hitchin, has written a letter to technology giants Apple and Google, signed by more than 100 parliamentarians, urging them to introduce stronger protections to prevent children from being groomed, exploited and blackmailed through the sharing of nude images.

The letter to both companies CEOs sent by Strathern in collaboration with the NSPCC, calls for them to introduce comprehensive nudity-blocking technology across children's devices as soon as possible.

The MPs welcomed the Government's recent announcement that it intends to legislate to make nudity-blocking technology compulsory on children's devices but argued that technology companies should act now rather than wait for new laws to come into force.

The letter highlights the growing threat of image-based abuse, noting that more than 100 cases of child sexual abuse material are recorded by police forces every day across the UK. It also warns that children are increasingly being manipulated into sharing intimate images which are then used for blackmail and financial extortion.

The letter argues that device-wide protections would provide the most effective safeguard, preventing perpetrators from simply moving abuse between different apps and platforms.

Strathern and the NSPCC are calling on both companies to introduce the technology in their next operating system updates and demonstrate their commitment to children's safety ahead of forthcoming legislation.

Alistair Strathern MP said:

"Every child deserves to be safe online. The reality is that far too many children are being targeted by criminals who use intimate images to exploit, groom and blackmail them.

"Technology companies have the expertise and resources to help prevent this abuse before it happens. While some important steps have already been taken, protections need to be comprehensive and apply across children's devices as a whole.

"I am proud to have led colleagues from across Parliament in calling on Apple and Google to act urgently. We should not wait for legislation when there is an opportunity right now to better protect children, support families and stop abuse at its source."