- Lib Dem peer warns of dangers associated with free VPNs
- Minister says government will address ‘evidence gap’
- Not all free VPNs pose the same risk
A Liberal Democrat peer has claimed that children in the UK are turning to free VPN apps that “monetize user data and expose devices to viruses” to circumvent age restrictions.
Baroness Benjamin opened one House of Lords debate last week by asking the government how they are working to prevent children from using the privacy tools to circumvent the Online Safety Act.
In response, Liz Lloyd, a science and technology minister, told colleagues the government is working to address the “evidence gap” about how many children are using the tools. She added that the government is committed to ensuring that all “future interventions are proportionate and evidence-based”.
This 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 readily available software.
Ofcom monitors 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 the Online Security Act has been a concern since at least 2022. But there is now growing understanding among politicians that the problem cannot be easily solved.
The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, acknowledged that it is “very difficult to monitor the use of VPNs”, while stressing the importance of education to protect children online.
Meanwhile, Baroness Benjamin claimed that “teenagers are actively seeking out and sharing methods to circumvent” the age verification process.
Peers also acknowledged the literacy gap between lawmakers and the children they legislate for.
Baroness Thornton remarked: “I don’t know how many noble Lords here would know how to download a VPN and then choose a country which has no age verification rules. Obviously there are teenagers who can do this.”
Given this growing awareness of VPNs and their potential to circumvent online security law, it’s no surprise that the government is on the defensive again.
For now, ministers can only point to Ofcom’s ongoing investigations – a stance unlikely to satisfy child safety advocates such as the Children’s Commissioner for England, who called for immediate action to close the VPN loophole.
A note about the risks of free VPNs
It is encouraging to see politicians raising such well-informed perspectives on VPNs.
Having reported on the VPN industry since 2018, I didn’t expect to find myself nodding in agreement with peers and religious dignitaries. But Baroness Benjamin is right: many free VPNs can – and often do – monetize your data and leave you vulnerable to malware.
However, a distinction must be made between these dangerous “scam” apps and legitimate free services. If you’re going to use a free tool, it’s important 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 always be limited by data caps and slower speeds. For a completely unlimited experience that guarantees your privacy and security, we recommend upgrading to a premium service like NordVPN, Surfshark or Proton VPN.
Distinguishing between apps that pose a real threat like those Baroness Benjamin warned about and those that work to protect digital privacy will be essential for the government to inform effective legislation.
It is also important that they remember the ministers’ insights from a separate debate in the House of Lords from the same day. Namely that “there are legitimate reasons to use VPNs.”
Hopefully the Government will take note of the knowledgeable contributions from this debate and live up to its promise that any future legislation will be proportionate and reality-based.
