• guriinii@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    Couldn’t we just then go to Wikipedia via VPN if this actually happened? Even “age-gated” websites would be able to be accessed via a VPN.

    You could just search “how to access uk age-gated websites” and there’ll likely be a guide.

    Whoever came up with this idea is a moron

    • noodle@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      They’ll be going after VPN’s next. “Online safety” is just a political football to be kicked around.

      The idea is moronic, but the blame lies at the feet of Christian conservatives who vote with their feelings. All of the moral panics of the past several decades have emotive and religious roots.

      Another thing to point out, Sunak had one foot out of this country before he became PM, he wouldn’t have to know the deleterious effects of any of his or his predecessors actions.

      • jabjoe@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        I’m waiting for them to go after personal VPNs and Tor. I’m surprised they haven’t already.

        • Digestive_Biscuit@feddit.uk
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          1 year ago

          I use a business VPN which allows me to securely connect to my works network using only my work equipment. All legit.

          I host my own VPN at my home so I can connect into my network while out and about. All legit.

          I then do sometimes use a VPN for bypassing regional restrictions. This is the one I assume they would target but I don’t understand how.

          Surely they can only ban the use of it and not the technology. It would only add to a list of crimes to somebody the police has been targeting already. A bit like in my local area where the only people charged with illegally using an electric scooter are drug dealers.

          • jabjoe@feddit.uk
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            1 year ago

            Oh it will be personal VPN companies they go after. They can’t do much about the technology. They will try to block Tor though at some point.

      • VioletTeacup@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        I think you’re spot on. I’m also deeply concerned by the way so many news organisations seem to be painting it as a good thing or necessary.

      • Mane25@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        The ineptitude of the government is what gives me hope, it seems like every year there’s something like this but nothing ever comes of it. Sometimes they’re “banning encryption”, sometimes there’s some idea of internet filters, nothing ever comes of it. They don’t have the intelligence to come up with anything workable.

    • Noit@lemm.eeOP
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      1 year ago

      The UK government and technically inept internet legislation, name a more iconic combo.

    • spideredd@feddit.uk
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      1 year ago

      Whoever came up with this idea is a moron

      I’m actually glad that they’re a moron. They’d be terrifying if they were even slightly compotent.

      • jabjoe@feddit.uk
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        1 year ago

        We can’t just rely on that. We need to fight politically or get into a right old mess. Laws need to enforceable, not only selectively enforceable.

        Millions will just use a VPN, but if there is an MP the media wants gone, “MP found on darkweb!”. We all know Gove and others are coke heads, but at the moment, no drug charges are brought. But you can bet some poor kid, especially if ethnic, if caught by police doing coke, will have the book thrown at them. Laws need to universally enforced or they make an ass of the law.