- The UK government has launched a consultation on children’s online safety
- Leading VPN companies have confirmed their willingness to get involved
- Companies say privacy must be taken into account during debates
Major VPN providers including ExpressVPN, Surfshark, NordVPN and Windscribe have indicated they are ready to take part in the UK government’s upcoming three-month consultation on children’s online safety.
The move follows a period of increased political scrutiny over the technology, including a controversial House of Lords amendment that proposed mandatory age verification for VPN users.
Representatives from the four VPN providers told TechRadar that they would be happy to join the consultation to help shape the upcoming policy, but had not yet been contacted.
The government is expected to publish specific participation guidelines and further details in the coming weeks.
What is consultation?
Last month, the UK government announced a three-month consultation to explore new ways to improve children’s safety online.
Alongside discussions about social media use and “excessive doomscrolling”, the government will also hear from parents, tech companies and children about the role of VPNs.
The consultation was criticized by the opposition, who argued the government should move more quickly to introduce a ban on social media for under-16s.
Meanwhile, the House of Lords recently voted in favor of an amendment to the Child Welfare and Schools Bill that would effectively ban under-18s from using VPNs.
However, as the government holds a strong majority in the House of Commons, it is expected to vote against the ban in favor of its own evidence-gathering process.
This means the three-month consultation remains the most likely route to any final legislation. The process is expected to be completed by the end of summer, when the government will unveil its official plan.
How has the VPN industry responded?
Most VPN providers adopted a diplomatic tone when asked about their possible involvement in the consultation.
Surfshark’s head of legal Gytis Malinauskas said the company was “always open to constructive conversations with policymakers,” while a NordVPN spokesperson confirmed it was “open to meaningful dialogue.”
An ExpressVPN spokesperson also said the company was “open to constructive conversations” with the government.
Windscribe CEO Yegor Sak struck a typically brutal tone. While confirming that he is ready to engage in the process, Sak said: “We are ready to talk to them and educate them on the mistakes they have made.”
Sak has previously described the push for age checks on VPNs as “the stupidest possible solution” to online security problems.
A “false dichotomy” between privacy and security
Despite increased scrutiny in recent weeks, VPN providers are keen to emphasize the importance and usefulness of their products to policymakers.
Pete Membery, ExpressVPN’s research director, stressed the importance of ensuring that any new policy “balances online security with individuals’ fundamental right to privacy.”
The company also cautioned against the “false dichotomies” that often frame these debates, noting that protecting privacy and improving security are not mutually exclusive goals.
Surfshark echoed this sentiment, suggesting that while it supports the goal of protecting children online, it is essential that discussions about security take into account user privacy and data protection.
While many of the best VPNs now offer features designed specifically for families – including built-in parental controls and content filtering – providers should emphasize how their products can be part of the solution, rather than just a tool to bypass age verification measures.
TechRadar will continue to monitor the consultation as it develops.
