France Considers Restricting VPNs to Support Under-15 Social Media Ban
France’s government is considering restrictions on VPN use to prevent children 15 and under from accessing social media, following a bill approved by the lower house of the National Assembly banning under-15s from social platforms. Digital Affairs Minister Anne Le Hénanff indicated that VPNs, which can be used to bypass age-verification and access restricted content, are a future target, though specifics about potential restrictions remain unclear. The government has clarified it does not intend a full ban on VPNs, recognizing their legitimate uses for data security and business. Current legislative discussion focuses on limiting minors’ access to VPNs, not banning the technology outright. VPN providers and industry figures noted that traditional VPNs could be blocked more easily than decentralized, blockchain-based services. Critics argue that restricting VPNs may set an authoritarian precedent, as technical barriers targeting kids could impact broader digital freedoms. For now, VPN services in France continue operating legally.
