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Will we see VPN's banned next?

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By *inky-Dildo-Kim OP   TV/TS
2 weeks ago

Hayle

The next step after the Online Safety Act will have to be government banning of private VPN use

As of today, online platforms in the UK have a legal duty to “protect children” under the Online Safety Act (OSA). They are now required to implement age assurance or verification measures to prevent children from accessing (among other things) pornography, age-inappropriate material, harmful content, or content that promotes self-harm, suicide, or eating disorders.

As is obvious to anyone outside of this (or the previous) government, the workaround is to spend 10 seconds signing up to a free VPN provider. This encrypts traffic, masks location, and effectively removes any age verification barriers. Site operators will have no incentive to apply OSA requirements to non-UK IPs, rendering the legislation largely ineffective.

For adults, using a VPN day-to-day will increase convenience by avoiding repeated age checks, particularly on sites used regularly that aren’t pornographic. For those underage, it offers a simple way to bypass restrictions, exposing how poorly thought through the legislation is.

The more immediate consequence will be a shift towards VPN use becoming standard for many everyday users (both adults and children) seeking to avoid verification and maintain anonymity.

Bypassing age checks via VPNs, especially when not tied to identifiable accounts (like Facebook), will also make user tracking harder. More internet traffic will be hidden from UK ISPs with greater VPN use, undermining their ability to monitor browsing data as outlined in the 2016 Investigatory Powers Act (“Snoopers’ Charter”), and likely making it more difficult for law enforcement to trace illegal online behaviour, as more activity is encrypted or masked by default.

In my view, the unintended consequence of this legislation will be to push people towards stronger digital security and widespread VPN use. But in doing so, the state will find it increasingly difficult to monitor internet activity and will push back against this loss of access.

The next logical step for this government will be to restrict or ban private VPN use. Without doing so, the legislation collapses under its own weight and public backlash will follow once the media starts a campaign saying that Government has failed to “protect the children.”

Mark my words: the next campaign will be either to prohibit VPN use outside of business contexts, or to force Ofcom access to VPN backdoors, or to mandate that all VPNs hold usage logs that Ofcom can demand, in an attempt to monitor and restrict underage access to so-called harmful content.

Once it is clear this legislation has failed - I don’t see this government stepping back, they’ll just take further steps forward to continue their interference with the civil liberties of the citizens of the UK, and erode the privacy of everyone in the UK under the guise of “protecting the children”.

China and Russia has banned all VPN use so lets see if Starmer will here in the UK

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By *aron Van WinkleMan
2 weeks ago

In fair Verona.

Why? That’s the back door celery area that’s been left for the dodgy government workers to use so they can get their rocks off.

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By *bi HaiveMan
2 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

Why?

The legislation is to force websites to put actions in place. Provided they do that then they've fulfilled their obligations. The legislation doesn't require private individuals to do anything.

I'm honestly flabbergasted by the volume of people that seem to have an issue with a law designed solely to protect minors and the level of discussion and arguments amongst adults on how to circumnavigate the new laws, as if it was something specifically targeted at them. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I just don't get it......🤷‍♂️

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By *rinceless PrincessWoman
2 weeks ago

Gloucester


"Why?

The legislation is to force websites to put actions in place. Provided they do that then they've fulfilled their obligations. The legislation doesn't require private individuals to do anything.

I'm honestly flabbergasted by the volume of people that seem to have an issue with a law designed solely to protect minors and the level of discussion and arguments amongst adults on how to circumnavigate the new laws, as if it was something specifically targeted at them. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I just don't get it......🤷‍♂️"

I don’t get it either,

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By *aron Van WinkleMan
2 weeks ago

In fair Verona.


"Why?

The legislation is to force websites to put actions in place. Provided they do that then they've fulfilled their obligations. The legislation doesn't require private individuals to do anything.

I'm honestly flabbergasted by the volume of people that seem to have an issue with a law designed solely to protect minors and the level of discussion and arguments amongst adults on how to circumnavigate the new laws, as if it was something specifically targeted at them. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I just don't get it......🤷‍♂️"

How are you getting your porn? Top tips please?

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By *inky-Dildo-Kim OP   TV/TS
2 weeks ago

Hayle

[Removed by poster at 26/07/25 17:31:44]

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By *ealitybitesMan
2 weeks ago

Belfast

It wouldn't bother me in the slightest if they did because it has no direct impact on my life.

I was reluctant to share personal info here on fab but I didn't have to in order to be verified as over 18 and nothing I do or view elsewhere would require the use of a VPN.

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By *inky-Dildo-Kim OP   TV/TS
2 weeks ago

Hayle


"Why?

The legislation is to force websites to put actions in place. Provided they do that then they've fulfilled their obligations. The legislation doesn't require private individuals to do anything.

I'm honestly flabbergasted by the volume of people that seem to have an issue with a law designed solely to protect minors and the level of discussion and arguments amongst adults on how to circumnavigate the new laws, as if it was something specifically targeted at them. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I just don't get it......🤷‍♂️

How are you getting your porn? Top tips please? "

The whole point of the OSA is to stop under 18's seeing porn. If they can simply bypass any age verification using a VPN then they will for sure

I'm guessing that all the free VPN's will go and only paid VPN's will survive... paid for by an age checked adult with a bank card

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By *sianMale890Man
2 weeks ago

Stockport

Honestly OP the way things are going in the U.K. government and the laws they are creating and passing it would not surprise me at all…

I get it on the one hand they want to clamp down on younger people visiting certain websites due to legal reasons etc and safeguarding people from such content etc..

On the other hand Banning VPNs would be a piss take but in the eyes off the law it would seem fair game, that being said large amounts off people nationwide also use VPNs for various online safety and security reasons so they could argue their cases against its potential banning when or if proposed..

Just my take on it

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By *bi HaiveMan
2 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset

This article sums up my thoughts perfectly.

https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/porn-vpn-face-scan-age-verification-pornhub-b2795367.html

The header is spot on.

"To all the angry men online, putting face-scan checks on porn really isn’t about you" 👌👌👌👌👌

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex

Wouldn't the answer to this be that parents don't allow their kids any device with vpn on it? Call me crazy but if you wouldn't let your kid watch something on the telly why are you giving them a device where they can look at anything they want?

If all parents, carers and guardians stepped up the legislation would work in most cases.

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By *bi HaiveMan
2 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset


"Why?

The legislation is to force websites to put actions in place. Provided they do that then they've fulfilled their obligations. The legislation doesn't require private individuals to do anything.

I'm honestly flabbergasted by the volume of people that seem to have an issue with a law designed solely to protect minors and the level of discussion and arguments amongst adults on how to circumnavigate the new laws, as if it was something specifically targeted at them. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I just don't get it......🤷‍♂️

How are you getting your porn? Top tips please?

The whole point of the OSA is to stop under 18's seeing porn. If they can simply bypass any age verification using a VPN then they will for sure

I'm guessing that all the free VPN's will go and only paid VPN's will survive... paid for by an age checked adult with a bank card"

Under 18's can't get phone contracts.

Maybe, just maybe, parents could actually monitor what apps and software their children are downloading?

There's no logical reason a child would need a vpn on their phone after all. 🤔

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex


"Why?

The legislation is to force websites to put actions in place. Provided they do that then they've fulfilled their obligations. The legislation doesn't require private individuals to do anything.

I'm honestly flabbergasted by the volume of people that seem to have an issue with a law designed solely to protect minors and the level of discussion and arguments amongst adults on how to circumnavigate the new laws, as if it was something specifically targeted at them. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I just don't get it......🤷‍♂️

How are you getting your porn? Top tips please?

The whole point of the OSA is to stop under 18's seeing porn. If they can simply bypass any age verification using a VPN then they will for sure

I'm guessing that all the free VPN's will go and only paid VPN's will survive... paid for by an age checked adult with a bank card

Under 18's can't get phone contracts.

Maybe, just maybe, parents could actually monitor what apps and software their children are downloading?

There's no logical reason a child would need a vpn on their phone after all. 🤔"

It seems so straightforward doesn't it. Is it us?

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By *bi HaiveMan
2 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset


"Why?

The legislation is to force websites to put actions in place. Provided they do that then they've fulfilled their obligations. The legislation doesn't require private individuals to do anything.

I'm honestly flabbergasted by the volume of people that seem to have an issue with a law designed solely to protect minors and the level of discussion and arguments amongst adults on how to circumnavigate the new laws, as if it was something specifically targeted at them. 🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

I just don't get it......🤷‍♂️

How are you getting your porn? Top tips please?

The whole point of the OSA is to stop under 18's seeing porn. If they can simply bypass any age verification using a VPN then they will for sure

I'm guessing that all the free VPN's will go and only paid VPN's will survive... paid for by an age checked adult with a bank card

Under 18's can't get phone contracts.

Maybe, just maybe, parents could actually monitor what apps and software their children are downloading?

There's no logical reason a child would need a vpn on their phone after all. 🤔

It seems so straightforward doesn't it. Is it us? "

I don't even have kids and I understand the motivation of the laws and also how easy it would be for parents to just pay more attention to what their kids are doing.

So yes. Maybe it's us.

Couldn't possibly be them......🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️

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By *inky-Dildo-Kim OP   TV/TS
2 weeks ago

Hayle


"Honestly OP the way things are going in the U.K. government and the laws they are creating and passing it would not surprise me at all…

I get it on the one hand they want to clamp down on younger people visiting certain websites due to legal reasons etc and safeguarding people from such content etc..

On the other hand Banning VPNs would be a piss take but in the eyes off the law it would seem fair game, that being said large amounts off people nationwide also use VPNs for various online safety and security reasons so they could argue their cases against its potential banning when or if proposed..

Just my take on it "

Paid for VPN's would be fine. I already pay for Nord VPN. It's free ones like Proton, Tunnelbear, Opera etc that are accessible by kids. Even if their parents make them delete their phone VPN apps, whats to stop them re-downloading them once they are down the local park with their mates after school? Kids will surely find a way to combat anything if they are determined. A Paid VPN is a different story as most kids won't have a debit or Credit Card!!

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By *bi HaiveMan
2 weeks ago

Cheeseville, Somerset


"Honestly OP the way things are going in the U.K. government and the laws they are creating and passing it would not surprise me at all…

I get it on the one hand they want to clamp down on younger people visiting certain websites due to legal reasons etc and safeguarding people from such content etc..

On the other hand Banning VPNs would be a piss take but in the eyes off the law it would seem fair game, that being said large amounts off people nationwide also use VPNs for various online safety and security reasons so they could argue their cases against its potential banning when or if proposed..

Just my take on it

Paid for VPN's would be fine. I already pay for Nord VPN. It's free ones like Proton, Tunnelbear, Opera etc that are accessible by kids. Even if their parents make them delete their phone VPN apps, whats to stop them re-downloading them once they are down the local park with their mates after school? Kids will surely find a way to combat anything if they are determined. A Paid VPN is a different story as most kids won't have a debit or Credit Card!!"

Erm....parental controls on phones to prevent app downloads maybe?

Just a thought. 🤷‍♂️

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By *ools and the brainCouple
2 weeks ago

couple, us we him her.

Meh! If people are so worried about all this and now VPN whatever the hell that is, they must be up to some seriously sketchy shit and probably deserve to have access blocked!

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By *inky-Dildo-Kim OP   TV/TS
2 weeks ago

Hayle


"

Erm....parental controls on phones to prevent app downloads maybe?

Just a thought. 🤷‍♂️"

Most parents don't even know what a VPN is!

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex


"

Erm....parental controls on phones to prevent app downloads maybe?

Just a thought. 🤷‍♂️

Most parents don't even know what a VPN is! "

I think you underestimate most parents.

I think many parents don't believe that their kids would look at porn.

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By *rinceless PrincessWoman
2 weeks ago

Gloucester


"Meh! If people are so worried about all this and now VPN whatever the hell that is, they must be up to some seriously sketchy shit and probably deserve to have access blocked!"

My thoughts exactly. If you’re not doing something sketchy why are you so upset about having to age verify?

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By *sianMale890Man
2 weeks ago

Stockport


"

Paid for VPN's would be fine. I already pay for Nord VPN. It's free ones like Proton, Tunnelbear, Opera etc that are accessible by kids. Even if their parents make them delete their phone VPN apps, whats to stop them re-downloading them once they are down the local park with their mates after school? Kids will surely find a way to combat anything if they are determined. A Paid VPN is a different story as most kids won't have a debit or Credit Card!!"

fair point make it more difficult to acquire by having the free VPNs discarded and only be able to get them by purchasing or using an online subscription..

only problem is humans are always evolving and some are getting more smarter then others even in the younger generations they will figure out tricks or techniques to bypass even that one way or another through enough determination...

one or a dozen free VPN sites get taken down online or blocked more will come in their place under the radar its like a hydra from mythology in some sense remove one head and two more will grow in its place..

I myself have a VPN which I acquired by chance through my Norton 360 subscription on my laptop, it comes in handy from time to time

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By *b03Man
2 weeks ago

Exeter

I agree I really.dont see what the fuss is about!

some people seems to be off the rails claiming the government is going 1984 planning to put us all in our little cages but the thinking is paradoxical.

These are the same people who claim the government is "useless" and can't collect the bins on time manage the border etc yet and the same time also say that the government is competent enough to go big brother on all 70 million of us??

I can tell you for sure if parents were keeping a closer eye on what their kids were doing and social media companies had actually put some procedures on place instead of giving it lip service

(occasionally removing harmful content while the algorithm was simultaneously promoting this very same content to the same people) then this act wouldn't need to exist!

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By *icecouple561Couple
Forum Mod
2 weeks ago

East Sussex


"I agree I really.dont see what the fuss is about!

some people seems to be off the rails claiming the government is going 1984 planning to put us all in our little cages but the thinking is paradoxical.

These are the same people who claim the government is "useless" and can't collect the bins on time manage the border etc yet and the same time also say that the government is competent enough to go big brother on all 70 million of us??

I can tell you for sure if parents were keeping a closer eye on what their kids were doing and social media companies had actually put some procedures on place instead of giving it lip service

(occasionally removing harmful content while the algorithm was simultaneously promoting this very same content to the same people) then this act wouldn't need to exist!

"

Yep! That's about it

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By *aron Van WinkleMan
2 weeks ago

In fair Verona.

^ Thanks for naming the VPNs that are freely available…😏

😅

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By *allipygousMan
2 weeks ago

Leicester


"^ Thanks for naming the VPNs that are freely available…😏

😅"

Anyone with an ounce of common sense would've googled it. That's what I did and I just have a gram.

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By *acey_RedWoman
2 weeks ago

Liverpool

I'm not sure how that would work. Every healthcare job I've had uses VPNs when accessing confidential information online for security reasons.

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By *acktopervMan
2 weeks ago

Stourport-On-Severn

I doubt any government would ban VPN's. Most if not all of them are not even based in the UK and all of them have servers based all around the world. They could ban the UK servers, but no one would be using a UK server to get around the legislation anyway.

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