Henna Virkkunen signals VPN restrictions after EU age verification app launch
Updated
Updated · TechRadar · May 9
Henna Virkkunen signals VPN restrictions after EU age verification app launch
10 articles · Updated · TechRadar · May 9
At an April 29 press conference, the EU executive vice-president said anti-circumvention steps should stop children bypassing the new app with VPN services.
The remarks drew criticism from cybersecurity and privacy experts, who warn curbing VPNs would weaken online security for adults, businesses and other users while being difficult to enforce.
The debate comes as Utah has begun enforcing VPN limits tied to age checks and governments in the UK and France also consider anti-circumvention measures.
Will new age-verification laws ironically push children toward riskier, unmonitored corners of the internet?
Russia's multi-billion ruble VPN ban is failing; why do Western nations think their efforts will succeed?
Europe’s Child Protection Drive: Age Verification, VPN Bans, and the Battle for Online Privacy
Overview
The European Union is moving quickly to make the internet safer for children by developing a new age verification app and considering an EU-wide age limit law. This app aims to protect children and hold online platforms accountable, directly addressing tech companies’ past excuses about not being able to verify user ages. By prioritizing children’s safety over commercial interests and focusing on privacy, the EU hopes to overcome technical and data concerns. However, the widespread use of VPNs remains a challenge, as they can be used to bypass these new protections, highlighting the ongoing complexity of enforcing digital child safety.