The French government is reportedly exploring radical measures to enforce its proposed legislation banning social media access for children under the age of 15 without parental consent. Recognizing the technical ease with which minors can circumvent mandatory age verification systems, officials are now considering restrictions on the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) and proxy servers.
France has been at the forefront of the European movement to establish a ‘digital majority,’ requiring platforms to verify the age and secure parental authorization for users accessing platforms that process personal data. However, the effectiveness of any age-gating mechanism relies heavily on accurate IP location and identity verification, which VPNs are specifically designed to obscure.
Sources close to the Ministry of Digital Transition suggest that while a complete, blanket ban on VPN usage is highly unlikely due to implications for cybersecurity, business operations, and general citizen privacy, targeted technical measures designed to block or severely restrict their use in conjunction with accessing age-restricted social media sites are being evaluated. This includes potentially requiring ISPs to implement specific filtering protocols.
Digital rights organizations have immediately voiced alarm over these considerations. Restricting access to tools like VPNs, which are vital for protecting privacy, encrypting sensitive data, and bypassing censorship, sets a dangerous precedent for undermining digital freedom. Critics argue that such a move would be technically complex to implement, potentially ineffective, and damaging to the rights of adult internet users who rely on these tools for legitimate reasons. The government faces a significant challenge in balancing robust child protection mandates with the preservation of fundamental internet freedoms.
Source: France Considers Restricting VPNs to Support Under-15 Social Media Ban
コメント