Brits could potentially be hit with a new VPN ban following last year’s Online Safety Act.
The House of Lords has passed a vote to ban the use of VPNs for under 18s.(Image: Getty Images)
Many people across the UK use Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to search online or connect to services in other countries. However, these networks could potentially be banned in the UK following a vote to change the current laws.
Following the implementation of the UK Online Safety Act, many internet users turned to VPNs to access their usual sites. The act was enforced on July 25 last year and required certain apps and websites to use age-verification to protect children from accessing inappropriate content.
However, as these private networks can be accessed by anyone, effectively making it seem as if they are visiting sites from another company and bypassing the restrictions, the UK Government may be set to take its act one step further. The House of Lords has recently passed a vote which would see an amendment to a law which would ban under 18s from using VPNs, reports the Express.
VPNs are widely known for allowing users to hide or imitate their browsing location, which allows them to dodge geographical restrictions. However, some companies also use VPNs to create a network for their employees to share resources.
Essentially, a VPN connects someone’s computer or smartphone to a server in a different location. As a result, the websites that the person visits while using a VPN will not be able to see their IP address.
Following calls from campaigners such as Hollywood’s Hugh Grant and actress Sophie Winkleman, a Conservative-led amendment in the House of Lords was called to change the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill last week.
A vote to ban providing VPN services to children was back by 207 votes to 159, following concerns that kids could use VPNs to bypass age verification restrictions for accessing adult content.
However, despite getting a majority vote, this ban does not mean the law will immediately be made as the changes to the Bill now need to be considered by MPs. This could enter a ‘ping-pong’ process, where legislation is passed back and forth between the Houses of Lords and Commons until they finally reach an agreement.
A separate vote has been conducted on the proposal to ban under 16s from using social media. However, while the Lords have passed the vote, the Government is set to hold its own consultation on the matter.
Already imposed in Australia, parents have petitioned for the ban as they feel they are in “an impossible position” in terms of the harms their children can encounter when online.
This week, Technology Secretary Liz Kendall announced the government will be holding a three-month consultation, which will look into both the advantages and disadvantages of the ban. Before reporting back in the summer, the MPs will consider actions to prevent “doom-scrolling” and the possibility of overnight curfews.
However Lord Nash, who was the Tory former schools minister and led the call for the ban, has argued that this consultation will only result in further delay.
He said: “The Government’s consultation is, in my view, unnecessary, misconceived and clearly a last-minute attempt to kick this can down the road.”
While proposing amending the Bill, he argued: “Many teenagers are spending long hours – five, six, seven or more a day – on social media. The evidence is now overwhelming as to the damage that this is causing.
“We have long passed the point of correlation or causation. There is now so much evidence from across the world that it is clear that by every measure, health, cognitive ability, educational attainment, crime, economic productivity, children are being harmed.”
He urged: “This is going to happen. The only question is when. We have the opportunity to do it now in this Bill, and every day which passes, more damage is being done to children. We must act now.”
A Government spokesperson said: “We will take action to give children a healthier relationship with mobile phones and social media. It is important we get this right, which is why we have launched a consultation and will work with experts, parents and young people to ensure we take the best approach, based on evidence.”
