Labour urges government to consider crackdown on VPNs
The IndependentSign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Labour has urged the government to consider a crackdown on Virtual Private Networks amid concerns that children and teenagers could use them to circumvent age restrictions. An amendment to the government's Online Safety Bill proposed by MP Sarah Champion on Monday would require telecoms regulator Ofcom to examine whether VPNs are undermining the enforcement of internet regulations. But speaking in a Commons debate on Monday Ms Champion said she was worried children could use VPNs to bypass new age verification controls included in the government's bill. "There are vital protections in the bill, but there is a real threat that the use of virtual private networks — VPNs — could undermine the effectiveness of these measures," the Rotherham MP said.