The Phase 1 report of the Southport Inquiry, which came out yesterday, has recommended exploring a partial ban on Virtual Private Networks. There is a big campaign on for this in Parliament…
The report was scathing of agencies and Axel Rudakubana’s family, and concluded that the murders were entirely preventable. Let’s hope the institutional failures are not overlooked as the debate veers towards online activity…
Also featuring in its recommendations section was this:
“Phase 2 should consider age verification for the use of Virtual Private Network (VPN) software and other options to avoid VPNs being used to circumvent the age-related protections in the Online Safety Act 2023.”
Phase 2 will broadly “consider the adequacy of multi-agency systems to address the risk posed by young people whose fixation with and desire to commit acts of extreme violence presents a significant risk to public safety” and make more fulsome recommendations. Expect Labour to bring forward more legislation in response…
As Guido reported Labour has previously supported measures to shut down VPN use. The failures of the police, and other agencies, must not escape serious scrutiny and a robust response…
Lord Khan in the Telegraph: “I hope, and I say this in a non-pompous way, that the public service I do will bring rewards in this world and the hereafter,” he says. “I’m hoping the work I do is earning me Brownie points.”