The controversial Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) was extended into 2026, allowing US intelligence agencies to continue collecting communications of foreign targets overseas. Critics, including some lawmakers, are concerned that this program permits warrantless searches of Americans' communications without court approval, raising significant privacy issues. Government transparency reports indicated over 13,000 known searches in 2024 aimed at identifying Americans'

The UK government is considering new policies that could force consumer VPN providers to implement age verification measures to block children from using their services, despite various government departments and MPs themselves spending millions on VPN technology for secure communications and remote access. A survey is being conducted to understand young people's motivations for using VPNs and the implications of age restrictions on privacy and data for all users. The debate highlights a potenti

Cloudflare has appealed a €14 million fine from Italy's communications regulator, AGCOM, for refusing to register with 'Piracy Shield,' a controversial website blocking system. Cloudflare argues that Piracy Shield violates the EU's Digital Services Act by lacking proportionate content restrictions and procedural safeguards. A study in September 2025 showed the system routinely blocks legitimate websites, including government and NGO sites, and even Google Drive. AGCOM's response was to expand Pi

Utah's proposed Senate Bill 73, which aims to tax online pornography, has been criticized as a civil liberties disaster. Beyond the tax, the bill would make it illegal to circumvent content blocks implemented by platforms due to local age verification laws, including through the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). This move is seen as a significant expansion of censorship and a threat to privacy, as it could punish users for bypassing restrictions and potentially lead to broader censorship o

Several adult websites have started blocking Australian users in anticipation of new age verification codes set to take effect on Monday. These regulations will require adult sites, AI companion chatbots, and app stores to implement age verification for access to pornography and other potentially harmful content. The move has raised concerns about data privacy and the potential for users to bypass these checks using VPNs, a trend observed when similar laws were implemented in the UK.

The UK Government has initiated a public consultation on children's digital wellbeing, exploring measures such as social media age bans, digital curfews, and restrictions on children's access to AI chatbots and VPNs. This development directly impacts online privacy laws, digital rights, and potential VPN regulations for young internet users in the UK.

The UK government is considering stricter age verification rules and potential restrictions on VPN usage, particularly for those under 16, following a significant surge in VPN use (up to 2000%) after new Online Safety Act measures were introduced in July 2025. A three-month consultation is underway to address loopholes and possibly curb VPNs that bypass safety filters, raising concerns among privacy campaigners about the impact on individuals who rely on VPNs for protection.