UK considers putting age limits on VPNs to help enforce social media ban
The UK government is considering introducing age limits on VPNs and app stores to prevent under-16s from bypassing its social media ban, as part of broader efforts to enforce online age restrictions more effectively.
Background
- The UK is considering requiring VPN providers (apps/services that let users mask their real location and age) to verify users' ages or block under-18s, as part of enforcing the Online Safety Act — a landmark law that already bans under-16s from social media in some forms.
- A VPN (Virtual Private Network) routes internet traffic through a server in another location, making it hard for platforms like TikTok, Instagram or YouTube to know the user's true age or country. Many teens use VPNs to bypass age-gating and parental controls.
- The proposal marks a major escalation in government attempts to control minors' online access: if VPNs are forced to verify ages, they would effectively need to collect ID or use facial-age-estimation tech, raising privacy concerns for all users.
- The move targets a loophole: the social-media age ban is toothless if kids can simply switch on a VPN. But critics argue age-verification mandates break how VPNs work and could push the industry out of the UK.