UK's Starmer seeks greater powers to regulate internet access

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer will seek broader powers to regulate internet access, which he said on Sunday was needed to protect children from fast-changing digital risks.



Britain's government said last month it would consult on an Australian-style social media ⁠ban for children under 16.



Spain, Greece and Slovenia have since said they plan bans.



In a statement Starmer said "Technology ‌is moving really fast, and the law has got to keep up," .



The new powers are likely to lead to reduced parliamentary scrutiny of future curbs.



Starmer's office said this was required so that after the review "we can act fast on its findings within months, rather than waiting years for new primary legislation every time technology evolves".



More AI chatbots will also be covered by a ban on creating sexualised images without the subject's consent, after measures against Elon Musk's Grok..



These will be introduced as an amendment to existing crime and child-protection legislation being considered by parliament.