Mozilla warns UK regulators against VPN age-gating as online safety consultation opens

Mozilla has formally submitted a response to the UK Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT), urging regulators to reject proposals to age-gate virtual private networks (VPNs). The intervention comes as the government conducts a consultation on measures to protect young people online, specifically addressing concerns about users circumventing age assurance systems mandated under the UK’s Online Safety Act.

The submission outlines Mozilla’s opposition to what it describes as "blunt interventions" that restrict access to essential privacy and security tools. The organisation argues that such measures undermine fundamental rights and fail to effectively improve protection for young people. Instead, Mozilla contends that these restrictions ignore the root causes of online harm and do not align with the goal of equipping users to navigate the digital world safely.

VPNs are described in the submission as critical tools that help users hide IP addresses, reduce tracking, and avoid IP-based profiling. The organisation notes that while these technologies are particularly vital for vulnerable groups such as activists, dissidents, and journalists, they also provide baseline protection for all users. Functions include connecting to remote networks for work or education, avoiding censorship, and maintaining general online privacy.

Mozilla highlights that young people are especially vulnerable to online tracking, targeted advertising, and the commercial processing of personal data without adequate consent. The submission argues that restricting access to privacy-protecting technologies creates a tension with the objective of teaching digital competence. It suggests that developing agency and responsible habits requires introducing young people to best practices and key safety tools, rather than limiting their access.

In place of age-gating technologies, Mozilla recommends that regulators focus on holding platforms to account and encouraging the responsible use of parental controls. The organisation advocates for investment in digital skills and a whole-of-society approach to digital wellbeing, asserting that these measures better address the challenges of online safety than restrictive technical barriers.

The full submission is available through Mozilla’s Open Policy & Advocacy channel, where the organisation reaffirms its mission to maintain an open and accessible internet. The outcome of the DSIT consultation regarding these proposals remains pending.