"Mozilla argued that VPNs are "essential privacy and security tools" used by millions of ordinary people, from those securing public Wi-Fi and remote work traffic to journalists, activists, and other vulnerable users. "VPNs serve as critical privacy and security tools for users across all ages," said Svea Windwehr, policy manager at Mozilla. "By hiding users' IP addresses, VPNs help protect users' location, reduce tracking and avoid IP-based profiling.""
"Windwehr added that people rely on VPNs for everything from connecting remotely to school or work networks to avoiding censorship and "simply protecting their privacy and security online." The filing lands in the middle of an increasingly strange UK debate where privacy tools are being recast as a threat to online safety enforcement. VPN usage in the UK surged almost immediately after Online Safety Act age checks started rolling out last year, as users scrambled to avoid handing sensitive identity data to adult websites and platforms demanding facial scans or ID verification."
"Child safety advocates and officials then turned their attention to VPNs themselves, with the Children's Commissioner for England even suggesting the government should explore ways to stop children from using them altogether. Mozilla's response argues the government is chasing the wrong target. The company pointed to research from Internet Matters suggesting that relatively few children use VPNs in the first place, and that only a small minority use them specifically to bypass age restrictions."
Mozilla warned Britain against treating VPNs as collateral damage in attempts to stop children dodging Online Safety Act age checks. Mozilla said VPNs are essential privacy and security tools used by millions for securing public Wi‑Fi, protecting remote work traffic, and helping journalists, activists, and vulnerable users. VPNs hide users’ IP addresses, reduce tracking, and avoid IP-based profiling, while supporting safe connections to school or work networks and helping users avoid censorship. UK VPN usage rose after age checks began, leading officials and child safety advocates to focus on VPNs. Mozilla argued that few children use VPNs and only a small minority use them to bypass age restrictions, so enforcement should target the wrong behavior rather than VPN tools.
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