Can one legally bypass age verification restrictions?
In the UK, the Online Safety Act 2023 has been introduced with a primary aim to protect minors from harmful content by enforcing age verification checks on certain websites and platforms. While VPNs can technically bypass these checks by masking the user's location, it is crucial to understand the stance of regulatory bodies and the government regarding this practice.
Use of VPNs to Bypass Age Verification
VPNs allow users to disguise their location, potentially bypassing UK age verification by making it appear as though the user is accessing content from a country without similar restrictions. However, it is important to note that Ofcom and the UK government strongly discourage the use of VPNs for this purpose.
UK Government and Regulatory Bodies' Stance
The UK government has no plans to repeal the Online Safety Act and is committed to implementing its provisions effectively, indicating a strong support for the age verification requirements. Ofcom, the regulatory body responsible for enforcing the Act, cautions against using VPNs to bypass these checks, emphasizing the importance of compliance with the new age verification rules.
Privacy and Safety Concerns
The use of sensitive data for age verification raises privacy concerns. However, the focus remains on ensuring compliance with the regulations while acknowledging potential privacy risks.
In summary, while VPNs can technically be used to bypass age verification, the UK government and regulatory bodies strongly advise against this practice, emphasizing compliance with the new regulations aimed at protecting minors. It is essential to note that the Act does not provide any guidelines for internet users regarding VPN use to circumvent age checks.
Age verification techniques can include scanning a photo ID or inputting payment card details. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
The Online Safety Act marks a significant step forward in child safety, according to Peter Kyle, the Labour Party Tech Secretary. OFCOM takes a "very dim view" of the promotion of using VPNs to circumvent age verification.
[1] Ofcom guidance on the Online Safety Act (2023) and age verification: https://www.ofcom.org.uk/about-ofcom/latest/media/2023/ofcom-issues-guidance-on-online-safety-act
[2] Privacy concerns surrounding age verification under the Online Safety Act (2023): https://www.privacyinternational.org/news-article/2023/05/25/privacy-concerns-surrounding-age-verification-under-the-online-safety-act-2023
[3] UK government's commitment to the Online Safety Act (2023): https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-government-committed-to-online-safety-act-2023
[4] Age verification and data privacy: a balancing act (2023): https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/01/age-verification-and-data-privacy-a-balancing-act
[5] VPNs and their potential to bypass age verification checks in the UK (2023): https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-57281011
- With the establishment of the Online Safety Act 2023 in the UK, cybersecurity discourse and general-news discussions have centered around the implications of using Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to bypass age verification checks, with regulatory bodies such as Ofcom expressing a dim view towards this practice.
- Despite the potential for VPNs to complicate the age verification process under the Online Safety Act 2023, it is crucial to consider the broader picture of technology, politics, and the general-news landscape, where the government and regulatory bodies are devoted to ensuring the protection of minors in the digital space.
