- Lib Dem peer warns of dangers associated with free VPNs
- Minister says government will fill “evidence gap”
- Not all free VPNs pose the same risk
A Liberal Democrat colleague has claimed that children in the UK are turning to free VPN apps that “monetize user data and expose devices to viruses” to get around age restrictions.
Baroness Benjamin opened a Debate in the House of Lords last week asking the government how it is working to stop children using privacy tools to circumvent the Online Safety Act.
In response, Science and Technology Minister Liz Lloyd told peers the government was working to address the “evidence gap” about the number of children using these tools. She added that the government is committed to ensuring “all future interventions are proportionate and evidence-based”.
It is the latest in a series of parliamentary discussions that have referenced the technology amid growing frustration that the government’s landmark security legislation is being circumvented by easily accessible software.
Ofcom is monitoring VPN use in the UK, but there is no indication that a ban is imminent.
What can we learn from the debate?
The use of VPNs to circumvent online security law has been a concern since at least 2022. However, politicians now increasingly understand that the problem cannot be easily solved.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, admitted that it is “very difficult to control the use of VPNs”, while stressing the importance of education to protect children online.
Meanwhile, Baroness Benjamin claimed that “teenagers are actively seeking and sharing methods to circumvent” the age verification process.
Peers also recognized the literacy gap between lawmakers and the children they legislate for.
Baroness Thornton said: “I don’t know how many noble lords here would know how to download a VPN and then choose a country that doesn’t have age verification rules. Clearly there are teenagers who can do that.”
Given this growing awareness of VPNs and their potential to circumvent online security law, it’s no surprise that the government finds itself on the defensive again.
For now, ministers can only point to ongoing Ofcom investigations – a stance that is unlikely to satisfy child safety advocates like England’s Children’s Commissioner, who has called for immediate action to close the VPN loophole.
A note on the risks of free VPNs
It’s encouraging to see politicians expressing such well-informed views on VPNs.
After reporting on the VPN industry since 2018, I didn’t expect to find myself in agreement with my peers and senior religious figures. But Baroness Benjamin is right: Many free VPNs can – and often do – monetize your data and leave you vulnerable to malware.
However, a distinction should be made between these dangerous “fraudulent” apps and legitimate free services. If you’re considering using a free tool, it’s essential to make sure it’s from a verified provider; our guide to the best free VPNs is a good place to start.
That said, free services will still be limited by data caps and slower speeds. For a completely unlimited experience that ensures your privacy and security, we recommend upgrading to a premium service like NordVPN, Surfshark, or Proton VPN.
It will be essential for the Government to distinguish between apps that pose a real threat, such as those Baroness Benjamin warned against, and those that help protect digital privacy.
It is also essential that they bear in mind ministers’ ideas from a separate debate in the House of Lords on the same day. Namely that “there are legitimate reasons to use VPNs”.
Let us hope that the Government takes note of the informed contributions from this debate and keeps its promise that any future legislation will be proportionate and grounded in reality.
