Jess Phillips, a former minister responsible for child protection, has urged new Prime Minister Andy Burnham to act swiftly to prevent children from taking or receiving nude images on their mobile devices. She called for immediate legislation to address the issue, stressing that major technology companies like Apple and Google are unlikely to meet a previously set deadline of September 8 to implement essential safeguards. Phillips resigned from the government in May, criticizing then-leader Keir Starmer for not being forceful enough in tackling the spread of child nudity online. Charities and child safety campaigners warn that the number of children affected by online sextortion—where predators trick or blackmail victims into sharing intimate images—is increasing. Starmer had previously instructed tech giants to introduce device-level protections to prevent minors from taking, receiving, or viewing nude images, with a deadline of September 8. However, Apple and Google have not yet announced the necessary measures, leaving children vulnerable to exploitation. Jess Phillips emphasized that there should be no further delays in addressing the issue and called on the new Prime Minister to begin the legislative process. She highlighted the severe consequences of sextortion, including cases where parents have lost their sons to suicide due to the emotional and psychological toll of the crime. The Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), a child safety organization, has also urged the government to pass laws requiring tech companies to implement existing technology that can block children from taking or receiving nude images. Apple has introduced age verification checks for iPhone users, which activate safety features by default for those not confirmed to be over 18. However, nudity detection is not applied to the camera or other apps, allowing children to still take, view, share, and save nude images. Child safety advocates and the government argue this is insufficient, calling for Apple and Google to block nudity across the entire device by default, with deactivation only possible through age verification. Dr. Elly Hanson of the Centre to End All Sexual Exploitation (CEASE) expressed frustration that Apple and Google have not met the September 8 deadline, stressing the urgent need for legislation to enforce device-level protections. The NSPCC, a children’s charity, also criticized tech companies for failing to activate safety features that could prevent minors from taking, sending, or receiving nude images. A spokesperson for the Home Office reiterated the government’s commitment to making it impossible for under-18s to engage with nude imagery on their devices, warning that legislation will be introduced if Apple and Google do not act. Both companies have not responded to requests for comment.