Government considers putting age limits on virtual private networks to help enforce social media restrictions
Governments are increasingly concerned about the influence of social media on youth and public discourse, leading to a push for stricter regulations and enforcement mechanisms.
This move highlights a growing global trend towards digital sovereignty and national control over internet usage, potentially fragmenting the global internet and impacting technology companies.
The discussion about age limits on VPNs signals a significant escalation in attempts to control online content and access, moving beyond platforms to the underlying infrastructure.
- · National regulators
- · Domestic social media platforms in some markets
- · VPN providers
- · Global social media platforms
- · Internet freedom advocates
- · Users seeking unrestricted access
Governments will explore technical and legal means to enforce age verification and restrictions on online services, including VPNs.
An arms race between state-sponsored internet control and privacy-enhancing technologies will likely accelerate, driving innovation in both areas.
The global internet could further Balkanize into national or regional 'splinternets' with differing access rules, impacting cross-border data flows and digital economies.
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Read at Financial Times — Technology