EU calls VPNs "a loophole that needs closing" in age verification push
(cyberinsider.com)
Politicians should fuck off
Anarchy for all!
From user qnpnpmqppnp on hacker news
This title seems misleading.
The EP paper appears to be highlighting the existence of a debate regarding VPN.
Relevant quote:
"Some argue that this is a loophole in the legislation that needs closing and call for age verification to be required for VPNs as well. In response, some VPN providers argue that they do not share information with third parties and state that their services are not intended for use by children in the first place. The Children's Commissioner for England has called for VPNs to be restricted to adult use only.
While privacy advocates argue that imposing age-verification requirements on VPNs would pose significant risk to anonymity and date protection, child-safety campaigners claim that their widespread use by minors requires a regulatory response. Pornhub and other large pornography platforms have reportedly lost web traffic following the enforcement of age-verification rules in the UK, while VPN apps have reached the top of download rankings."
Of course I'm not saying the EU won't regulate VPNs, but nowhere in this paper is "the EU" stating that VPNs need closing.
The title also doesn't state that VPNs need closing. They are talking about VPNs being a loophole to the "age" verification that needs closing. For anyone being even a little bit tech savvy, it was crystal clear from the beginning that forcing people to provide official identification documents or a picture/video of themselves will create a response of attempts to circumvent this. And VPNs being the easiest (as in affordable, ease of use, and various providers being available) way of doing that, are now obviously the next ones to take the hit. If, or rather when, the EU decides to crack down on VPN providers, they are effectively closed. Why would I use a service that forces me to ID myself to circumvent the ID requirement of other services? The only reason to use a VPN is anonymity.
The mouth of the average EU legislator is a "loophole that needs closing".
Looks like it was never about “protect the children”
My money is on the majors / ip rights holders being pushing for this. VPNs have always annoyed them a whole lot.
It’s probably a convoluted way to track the children for pedos. Like Lifetouch was for Epstein.
Anyone who was paying attention saw through that bullshit from the start. It's never what they say it's about. It's about lining their own pockets and solidifying their own brand of control.
The EU used to be more biased towards about rational debate founded on objectivity. The megabucks minorities are slowly exerting influence.
The more to the right the less we’re going to see objectivity and legislations favouring the people. I’m still not sure where the money is in this one but I bet someone is pushing for this to bank on the ban.
I’m still not sure where the money is in this one but I bet someone is pushing for this to bank on the ban.
You are asking where are the money on a thief gun. The gun is a tool.
I wholeheartedly agree. There may not be a direct greasing of palms. I suspect that the sleazy multi-billion pound companies have the methodology to be put in front of key decision makers and so to influence. Even if it's not to the MEPs directly. They all require advisers.
