UK Age Verification for VPNs
Cindy Harper (via Hacker News):
The UK House of Lords has voted to extend “age assurance” requirements, effectively age verification mandates, to virtual private networks (VPNs) and a wide range of online platforms under the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill.
The decision deepens the reach of the already-controversial Online Safety Act, linking child safety goals to mechanisms that could have severe effects on private communication and digital autonomy.
[…]
In effect, most interactive online platforms would now need to collect and verify age data from users, even where those services are not primarily aimed at children.
[…]
Two other amendments, both more technologically intrusive, were discussed but rejected.
It’s not yet law.
Previously:
- UK Child Protections and Messaging Backdoor
- Texas Age Verification Suspended
- Imgur Blocks UK Users Over Age Verification
- UK Again Wants iCloud Backdoor
- UK Online Safety Act
