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UK Government Faces Backlash Over Proposed VPN Restrictions for Under-16s

Friday, June 19, 2026 vpn ukgovernment socialmediaban privacy technology under16 petition lizkendall internetfreedom cybersecurity

The UK government is under pressure following announcements that may lead to new restrictions on Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for under-16s. Technology Secretary Liz Kendall recently appeared on BBC Breakfast to discuss the issue, raising concerns about VPN usage circumventing a planned social media ban on minors. On 15 June, the government introduced a ban on social media use for under-16s, aiming to curb online risks for children. However, VPNs provide a way to bypass these restrictions, prompting the government to consider further regulations.