Post by @openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org

Open Rights Group

@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org 3 hours ago

VPNs are safe... for now 🛡️

The UK government has backed down on restricting this vital cybersecurity tool.

Alongside the announcement of a social media curfew for 16 and 17 year olds comes a win for privacy!

Plans to age-gate or restrict VPNs have been dropped, but we're not complacent to future risks.

We'll continue fighting to protect VPNs.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2026/jul/14/uk-16-17-year-olds-midnight-social-media-curfew

#vpn #cybersecurity #privacy #onlinesafety #ukpolitics #ukpol

the Guardian

UK 16- and 17-year-olds to be encouraged to follow midnight social media curfew

Midnight to 6am block on some apps is latest stage of Labour’s bid to protect young people from online harms

#onlinesafety #cybersecurity #vpn #ukpolitics #ukpol #privacy

Open Rights Group

@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org 3 hours ago

The decision to row back on threats to VPN use in the UK comes after ORG and over 20 organisations issued a joint letter yesterday.

We warned that requiring users to go through age checks or other restrictions “would undercut the security and privacy of millions, without making children safer.”

https://www.theregister.com/networks/2026/07/14/hands-off-our-vpns-privacy-groups-tell-uk-ministers/5271070

#vpn #cybersecurity #privacy #onlinesafety #ukpolitics #ukpol

theregister

Hands off our VPNs, privacy groups tell UK ministers

Mozilla, Proton, Tor warn ministers that targeting the tech risks creating more problems than it solves

Open Rights Group

@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org 3 hours ago

Independent research commissioned by the UK Department for Science Innovation and Technology concluded that privacy is the driver behind VPN use, as ORG has long pointed out.

Just 7-10% of all British children using a VPN do so to access restricted platforms.

Suggestions that VPNs should be restricted to prop up a social media ban are wrong.

https://www.techradar.com/vpn/vpn-privacy-security/no-its-not-age-verification-privacy-is-the-top-reason-uk-children-use-a-vpn

#vpn #cybersecurity #privacy #onlinesafety #ukpolitics #ukpol

Open Rights Group

@openrightsgroup@social.openrightsgroup.org 3 hours ago

VPNs are key to cybersecurity.

They keep young people safe online. Remote working possible. Journalists, activists and whistleblowers protected. Public WiFi use secure.

But, parents should talk to children about VPNs and ensure they use a reputable company that protects data.

Find out more ⬇️

https://social.openrightsgroup.org/@openrightsgroup/116776718285610543

#vpn #cybersecurity #privacy #onlinesafety #ukpolitics #ukpol