EU calls VPNs "a loophole that needs closing" in age verification push

3 hours ago

VPNs are being used to bypass online age-verification systems, creating a legislative loophole according to the European Parliamentary Research Service.
Governments are expanding child-safety rules requiring age checks for adult content, but VPNs allow minors to circumvent these measures.
VPN usage surged after age-verification laws took effect in countries like the UK, leading to calls to restrict VPNs to adults only.
Forcing identity verification for VPN access could weaken anonymity and raise privacy concerns, as objected by VPN providers.
The European Commission's age-verification app had security flaws, storing biometric data unencrypted and allowing bypasses.
Age verification is technically challenging and fragmented in the EU, with emerging solutions like France's 'double-blind' systems.
Legislation is starting to target VPN use directly, such as Utah's law defining user location by physical presence over IP address.
VPN providers may face more scrutiny as the EU revises cybersecurity laws to prevent misuse for bypassing child-safety protections.

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