Circumvention tool or essential security software? The shifting role of VPNs in the UK

The UK Government has finally announced its long-rumoured social media ban for under-16s. While the current proposal focuses on social media platforms, lawmakers are also considering restrictions on gaming platforms, streaming services, and, potentially, VPNs.

Previously, the Online Safety Act’s age verification requirements led swathes of people to use VPNs to avoid the measures. Now, the worry is that, without restrictions to VPN access, circumvention of the social media ban would leave children exposed to the materials the move aims to block.,

The problem is that circumvention risks have blinded policymakers to a key factor — VPNs are crucial to securing children online.

Be it securing their data against leaks or the growing integration of features such as parental controls, there’d be greater harm from banning these tools than from leaving them be. What’s more, with the UK adopting an ‘Australia plus’ model, there’s little chance VPNs would help...

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