New Zealand dismisses the idea of banning VPNs following a backlash regarding privacy concerns.

      Summary: The New Zealand government has dismissed the idea of restricting or banning VPNs in the context of its proposed social media ban for those under 16, following a strong privacy backlash. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon and Education Minister Erica Stanford clarified that banning VPNs is not part of their plans. This conversation was triggered by a report suggesting Stanford had proposed VPN restrictions, which some officials viewed as a challenge for enforcing age verification. Stanford insists no such ban was ever considered, despite coalition partner NZ First indicating that initial proposals might have led to discussions about VPN limitations and digital IDs.

      The quick reaction against this notion came from various political sides, with parties like ACT regarding anti-encryption measures as unacceptable, and the Free Speech Union criticizing the idea as “censorship infrastructure” rather than a means for child safety. VPNs serve not just as circumvention tools for teens but are vital security resources for businesses, journalists, and individuals protecting their data.

      As New Zealand finalizes its under-16 social media ban, similar legislation is being adopted in other countries. The issue of VPNs arises frequently in global discussions about age verification laws, as seen with the UK's under-16 ban where there are concerns that measures affecting VPN usage could lead to invasive checks for adults. This trend is reflected in proposals across Europe and in Greece’s intended under-15 ban.

      The challenge remains in effectively enforcing these regulations, as demonstrated by Australia's experience with its ban. Although New Zealanders retain access to their VPNs and privacy advocates achieve a victory, the more significant dilemma of enforcing a ban on minors without compromising the security of the wider population persists.