- The UK government confirmed it will not limit VPNs
- Official data reveals that only between 7% and 10% of teenagers use a VPN to bypass age controls
- The government also announced social media curfews and auto-play restrictions.
The UK government has officially ruled out the idea of ​​restricting virtual private networks (VPNs) to enforce its impending social media bans, marking a massive victory for digital privacy advocates.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast today, the government confirmed a major U-turn on the issue, with Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan saying: “We decided not to limit VPNs.”
This was further consolidated into a written parliamentary statement from Technology Secretary Liz Kendall, who clarified that the government will not limit the age or ban the best VPN software because “VPNs have legitimate privacy and security uses.”
The announcement puts to rest fears that sweeping age verification laws could inadvertently violate the online privacy of millions of adults.
Cybersecurity experts and privacy groups 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 have decided not to limit VPNs’ Online Safety Minister Kanishka Narayan told #BBCBreakfast The Government decided not to restrict access to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) as part of a social media ban for under-16s, despite initially suggesting it would take action… pic.twitter.com/pP94b81aeRJuly 15, 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 measures 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) to report by October on how platforms can better detect and prevent the use of VPNs to bypass age verification. The government also plans to engage directly with VPN providers regarding voluntary actions.
This shift in responsibility aligns with recently published government research.
A report from the Department of Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) revealed that while 26% of 11- to 17-year-olds use a VPN, results show they do so primarily for privacy reasons.
Only between 7% and 10% use them to bypass age control, while 45% simply enter a false date of birth.
Midnight curfews and AI limits
While everyday privacy tools have been spared, the government is pushing for strict new rules to combat digital addiction, which online commentators have already considered “ineffective and useless”, and the first regulations will come into force in early 2027.
Following the upcoming blanket ban on social media for under-16s, new measures will ensure that 16 and 17-year-olds do not face a sudden “cliff edge” of addictive characteristics. The government consultation revealed that almost one in three children actively want help managing their screen time.
Under the new rules, older teens will face predetermined social media curfews from midnight to 6 a.m. Additionally, persuasive features like video autoplay and custom infinite feeds will be disabled by default to make it easier to log out.
“It’s about giving these older kids more choice and control over streaming and reducing the feeling that they’ll never be able to disconnect from being online,” Kendall said.
The protections also extend to artificial intelligence.
The government will require mandatory breaks for those under 18 years of age who use artificial intelligence chatbots to prevent emotional dependency. Additionally, lawmakers are working with health regulators, including the MHRA and DHSC, to consider banning therapy chatbots entirely if they provide dangerous or unverified mental health advice to minors.
