Some politicians in the UK think it is a good idea to introduce identity verification for using VPN services.
It could be that these politicians do not understand what they are proposing. The alternative, that they do understand, would be even worse.
Whistleblowers, activists, and journalists depend on anonymous VPN services. Requiring identity verification for VPN services would put them at risk. It would also have a chilling effect on online debate (VPNs can help people post anonymously on social media).
In authoritarian countries, VPN services are crucial forcriticizing the government. That is precisely why such governments seek to ban or restrict them. Hopefully, the UK will not join that list.
ALT An image pointing towards the side of the Bank London underground station.
The image shows a black background with white text which reads:
"Countries that ban or restrict VPN services:"
Followed by a list of countries: Belarus, Iran, Iraq, North Korea, Turkmenistan, China, Russia, Egypt, India, Myanmar, Oman, United Kingdom?
United Kingdom is written at the end with a question mark afterwards.
Top right corner is the Mullvad VPN logo in a purple circle.