Online Safety Act 2023: Virtual Private Networks
Debate between Lord Leong and Lord Brennan of Canton
Lord Leong (Lab)
My Lords, many people use VPNs for entirely legitimate purposes. Their use does not negate the protections of the Online Safety Act, particularly when it comes to keeping children safe online. We have seen a significant increase in the use of age-verification tools as UK users attempt to access age-restricted content. Since the child safety duties came into force, the Age Verification Providers Association has reported an additional 5 million age checks being carried out each day in the initial period. The Act is already driving real change and stronger protections for children.
Lord Brennan of Canton (Lab)
My Lords, what estimate have the Government made since the implementation of these new regulations of the number of additional VPNs that are being taken up by users in the United Kingdom? If a figure is not immediately available, will the noble Lord write to me and let the House know?
Lord Leong (Lab)
My Lords, online providers now have a legal duty to protect children from harmful content. As I said earlier, VPNs are here to stay, and people use VPNs for entirely legitimate purposes. It does not negate the protections which the Online Safety Act has put in place. Those duties prevent children accessing the most dangerous material online, such as pornography and content promoting self-harm or eating disorders. They also protect children from other harmful content, including bullying, abuse or material that encourages dangerous stunts or risky behaviour. The Government will hold services to account. The era of platforms turning a blind eye to the risks that children face online is over.
Overseas Companies: UK-registered Subsidiaries
Debate between Lord Leong and Lord Brennan of Canton(6 months, 2 weeks ago)
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Lord Leong (Lab)
That was probably before the Procurement Act. Under the Act, companies that have been excluded will not be allowed to bid for any government contracts. Any companies found to be bid rigging will be debarred from bidding for any public contracts. We have come a long way. The Act has just come into force. Let us allow the Act to take its place and ensure that, whoever bids for the contract, they do so with the value for money that the Government are looking for.
Lord Brennan of Canton (Lab)
My Lords, is the issue of companies domiciled overseas which have set up a UK-registered subsidiary likely to feature in the upcoming potential trade talks with the United States of America? If so, what will the UK Government’s position be?
Lord Leong (Lab)
As I said in my earlier answer, if there is a free trade agreement with a particular country and it is a member of the WTO, we cannot prevent any other companies that are domiciled overseas with a registered company bidding for public contracts. Likewise, we would not want British companies to be debarred from bidding for international contracts, which amount to around £1.3 trillion.