The vote marks a stunning turn, pulling VPNs and private platforms into an age-check regime once unthinkable in a democracy.

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The UK House of Lords voted to extend age verification requirements to VPNs and most interactive online platforms under the Children's Wellbeing and Schools Bill. Amendment 92 requires VPN providers serving UK users to implement age assurance, while Amendment 94a mandates all user-to-user services prevent under-16s from accessing their platforms. The legislation expands beyond social media to cover messaging apps, forums, and gaming services, requiring identity verification across previously privacy-protective tools. Two more invasive amendments, including mandatory on-device content scanning and platform-specific age thresholds, were discussed but not passed.

UK House of Lords Votes to Extend Age Verification to VPNs