- MPs push for the use of VPNs to be reviewed
- It’s part of a broader debate on challenges facing the Online Safety Act
- It comes days after the UK Lords proposed a VPN ban for kids
MPs are considering whether VPN providers should be forced to implement age verification measures to prevent children from bypassing the Online Safety Act (OSA)
In a debate scheduled to discuss public opposition to the legislation, MPs used the opportunity to argue for stricter rules on VPN use instead.
Many Brits have turned to the best VPN apps since mandatory age verification was implemented in July.
While evidence suggests the majority of these are adults looking to protect their online privacy, lawmakers are concerned children are using the software to dodge restrictions designed to protect them.
“We will not hesitate to go further”
Peter Fortune, Conservative MP for Bromley and Biggin Hill, asked the House: “Does [the Minister] agree that, for the Online Safety Act to be successful, the use of VPNs has to be examined further?”
Echoing Fortune’s remarks, Labour MP Jim McMahon argued that VPN companies should be responsible for preventing children from evading checks. “Why are VPNs not in scope of the legislation to ensure that they are compliant with the age verification measures?” he asked.
“Presumably, it is more difficult for the end website to know the origins of the user if they have bypassed via a VPN. Surely the onus should be on the VPN company to comply with the law,” he added.
The UK’s Minister for Digital Government and Data, Ian Murray, reassured lawmakers that the government is already acting. As previously reported by TechRadar, Ofcom is currently monitoring VPN use to assess how these tools are being used.
“We will not hesitate to go further if necessary,” said Murray.
It’s unclear what further interventions might look like, though the debate offered some hints. According to Julia Lopez, Conservative MP for Hornchurch and Upminster, the government should consider “whether age-gating should be applied more comprehensively, including to VPN use or via app stores or at the device level to close those loopholes.”
This follows a move by UK Lords last week to table an amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would ban VPNs for children. The proposal calls for VPN firms to verify the age of all UK users – a move that Winscribe CEO called the “dumbest fix.”
While we wait to see how the debate develops, these comments signal lawmakers’ increasing willingness to regulate security tools intended to boost online privacy for millions of Brits – adults and children alike.
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chiara.castro@futurenet.com (Chiara Castro)
