Are VPNs under threat in Australia? FOI documents reveal plans to block age verification workarounds
- Australian eSafety Commissioner views VPN detection as a "reasonable step" for tech companies enforcing age limits
- The watchdog notes that service providers must prevent workarounds under new industry codes
- Australia's position mirrors a growing global debate surrounding age assurance and VPNs
Australia's internet watchdog is keeping a close eye on VPN services as the country steps up its efforts to enforce strict online age verification rules.
According to documents obtained by The Guardian under freedom of information (FOI) laws, the Australian eSafety Commissioner expects tech platforms and service providers to actively block workarounds that allow users to bypass age-restricted content and social media bans.
The internal documentsexplicitly detail how the government plans to approach these privacy tools under its Unlawful Material Codes and Standards. Under the Codes, the documents state, "service providers must take reasonable steps to prevent workarounds like VPNs so eSafety will look at this when considering...
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