- The UK government confirmed that it will not restrict VPNs
- Data shows that only 7-10% of teenagers use a VPN to bypass age checks
- Social media curfews, autoplay restrictions were also announced
The UK government has officially scrapped the idea of restricting virtual private networks (VPNs) to enforce its impending ban on social media, handing a massive victory to digital privacy advocates.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast today, the government confirmed a major U-turn on the issue, with Online Security Minister Kanishka Narayan stating: “We decided not to restrict VPNs.”
This was further cemented in a written parliamentary statement by technology secretary Liz Kendall, who clarified that the government will not deprecate or ban the best VPN software because “VPNs have legitimate privacy and security uses.”
The announcement ends fears that sweeping age verification laws could inadvertently breach the online privacy of millions of adults.
Cybersecurity experts and privacy groups have previously warned that restricting these tools would be a disaster waiting to happen, prompting an open letter from the industry urging lawmakers to leave everyday privacy tools alone.
Privacy wins, but platforms face new rules
‘We’ve decided not to restrict VPNs’, Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan told #BBCBreakfast The government has decided not to restrict access to virtual private networks (VPNs) as part of a social media ban for under-16s, despite initially indicating it would take action… pic.twitter.com/pP94b81aeR15 July 2026
While VPNs are safe from a blanket government ban, the social media ban loophole has not been completely ignored.
Kendall confirmed that the onus will now fall on social media platforms “to take robust steps to detect and prevent attempts by underage users to circumvent age assurance measures.”
To achieve this, the government has tasked Ofcom and the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) with reporting by October on how platforms can better detect and prevent VPN use to bypass age checks. The government also plans to engage directly with VPN providers regarding voluntary actions.
This shift in responsibility is consistent with recently released government research.
A report by the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) revealed that while 26% of 11- to 17-year-olds use a VPN, the findings show that they do so primarily for privacy.
Only 7-10% use them to bypass age verification, while 45% simply enter a fake date of birth.
Midnight curfew and AI limits
While everyday privacy tools have been spared, the government is pushing ahead with tough new rules to combat digital addiction – which online commentators already deemed “ineffective and useless” – with the first rules coming into effect in early 2027.
Following the upcoming blanket ban on social media for under-16s, new measures will ensure 16- and 17-year-olds don’t face a sudden “cliff” of addictive features. Government consultation revealed that almost one in three children actively want help to manage their screen time.
Under the new rules, older teenagers will face standard social media curfews from midnight to 10am. In addition, persuasive features like autoplay videos and personal infinite feeds will be turned off by default to make logging out easier.
“This is about giving these older kids more choice and control over feeds and reducing the feeling that they can never turn off being online,” Kendall said.
The protections also include artificial intelligence.
The government will require mandatory breaks for under-18s using AI chatbots to prevent emotional addiction. In addition, lawmakers are working with health authorities, including the MHRA and DHSC, to consider banning therapy chatbots entirely if they provide dangerous or unverified mental health advice to minors.
