Does the UK Online Safety Act ban VPNs?
Ever since the UK Online Safety Act has come into full effect, there has been confusion and disinformation about the use of VPNs. Internet users and UK businesses are wondering: Does the UK Online Safety Act really ban VPNs?
VPN use of private individuals
The short answer is: No, the Act does not ban VPNs. As a matter of fact, the word VPN (or "Virtual Private Network") is not even mentioned in the official legislative text. There is no ban and private individuals can still use them legally for privacy, security, or accessing content while traveling. However: businesses, web services and social platforms should pay closer attention.
Must websites detect or block VPNs?
The Act does not explicitly require websites or online services to block or detect VPN usage. Instead, it uses broader language, stating that services must implement "technical measures" that are "highly effective".
The law does not expect you to be perfect or "bulletproof", but it does expect a reasonable and proactive approach, including technical measures. In practice, this means that services may still be expected to take reasonable action against VPN circumvention. If a service allows users to easily bypass age verification or other safety checks simply by turning on a VPN app, regulators may view this as "ineffective" and a failure to take adequate steps to protect users.
The Focsec VPN Detection API is the ideal solution for platforms that need to comply with the UK Online Safety Act. By detecting VPNs, proxies, and other anonymization tools in real time, it helps ensure that users are not bypassing your location-based controls or age verification methods.
Understanding the UK Online Safety Act and implementing appropriate measures is critical for businesses. Ofcom (the regulator enforcing the Act) can impose fines of up to £18 million or 10% of a firmss global turnover.
Looking ahead: VPNs in the UK
Looking to the future, the debate around VPN use in the UK is far from over. Several UK officials, including UK Children’s Commissioner Dame Rachel, have already called for tighter regulations to prevent VPNs from undermining the Act's objectives. At the same time, VPN downloads in the UK are steadily rising, with several VPN apps dominating the Top 10 charts of Apple and Google app stores. This tension between VPN use and government regulation is likely to intensify in the coming years, making it more important than ever for businesses to find the right balance between compliance and user experience.
In summary, the UK Online Safety Act does not ban VPNs, but it does raise the bar for businesses and online services when it comes to compliance and user protection. Companies must be proactive in implementing effective safeguards, for example VPN detection where appropriate, to avoid regulatory scrutiny and hefty fines.