Question to the Home Office:

To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what guidance her Department has issued to mobile telephone companies on their legal obligations in respect of the sending and storing of nude and sexually explicit images of people under the age of 18 by their customers.

Government cannot offer legal advice to telecommunication companies, it is for the companies to satisfy themselves that any action they take with regard to their customers and services is lawful.

However the Government is committed to improving the safety of children and has a strong track-record in working with the industry to drive progress. The UK Council for Child Internet Safety (UKCCIS) is a multi-stakeholder forum which
brings together government, industry, law enforcement, academia, charities and parenting groups to work in partnership to help to keep children and young people safe online. It develops and promotes effective tools and information for children, parents and industry.