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   UK government may 'age restrict or limit children's VPN use' following   
   three-month consultation   
      
   By Samuel Woodhams published 4 hours ago   
      
   The government is tabling new powers that will allow it to enforce digital   
   safety measures more quickly   
      
       UK government says VPNs may be limited or age-restricted following   
   three-month consultation   
       New powers will grant ministers the authority to implement rules more   
   quickly   
       It remains unclear how VPN providers would technically enforce age checks   
      
   Update: This article was updated at 12:50 GMT to include commentary from civil   
   liberties group Big Brother Watch.   
      
   The UK government has confirmed it may "age restrict or limit children's VPN   
   use" if the tools are found to undermine online safety protections.  In a press   
   release published yesterday, the government vowed to "close loopholes that put   
   children at risk" by introducing powers to implement internet safety measures   
   more quickly following its three-month consultation.   
      
   While much of the focus remains on social media, the explicit mention of VPNs   
   suggests restrictions on the privacy tools is increasingly likely.   
      
   Ministers are expected to table an amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and   
   Schools Bill, granting them the authority to "act at speed." Any significant   
   measures - such as enforcing age-verification for VPN providers - will   
   still face a final vote in Parliament before becoming law.   
      
   Critics sound the alarm   
      
   Before the government's latest intervention, the House of Lords had already   
   signaled its intent to clamp down on the privacy tools. Peers passed an   
   amendment to the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill that would force VPN   
   providers to introduce "highly effective" age assurance measures.   
      
   However, this amendment is expected to be overturned in the House of Commons in   
   favor of the government's three-month consultation.   
      
   VPN restrictions remain a point of contention among politicians. Speaking to   
   TechRadar last month, Labour's Lord Knight of Weymouth - who opposed the   
   Lords' amendment - suggested that while the rhetoric is sharp, few   
   politicians are willing to "die in a ditch" over a VPN ban.   
      
   The proposal has already drawn fire from a number of prominent figures.   
   Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales said it was "an embarrassment," while digital   
   rights organizations have warned that mandatory age checks could put   
   "vulnerable people in immediate danger."   
      
   The UK-based civil liberties group Big Brother Watch has called the plans a   
   "draconian crackdown" and argued that forcing all VPN users to undergo age   
   assurance measures "defeats the point of a technology designed to enhance   
   privacy online."   
      
   What's next?   
      
   In yesterday's press release, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall emphasized the   
   importance of the move, saying that ministers are already consulting with   
   parents and civil society groups.   
      
   According to Kendall, the message from families has been "consistent and clear"   
   regarding the need for immediate action. Prime Minister Keir Starmer echoed   
   this sentiment, saying the government was "closing loopholes that put children   
   at risk, and laying the groundwork for further action."   
      
   Despite the government's push for change, there appears to be a communication   
   gap with the technology providers.  Last month, TechRadar spoke with   
   representatives from NordVPN, Surfshark, Windscribe, and ExpressVPN. They all   
   confirmed that they were open to dialogue with the government. However, none of   
   these major companies had been contacted by the government regarding the   
   proposed restrictions at the time of the initial announcement.   
      
   The Prime Minister is scheduled to provide further details on these measures   
   this week, marking the start of a process that could fundamentally reshape how   
   VPNs are accessed in the UK.   
      
      
   https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/uk-government-says-it-may-ag   
   e-restrict-or-limit-childrens-vpn-use-following-new-consultation   
      
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