London – A recent tweet by Shoshana Weissmann, a prominent social media commentator and policy analyst, has drawn attention to an apparent contradiction in the United Kingdom, where lawmakers are expensing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) while government officials express concerns about their use in relation to online safety. Weissmann stated, > "Absolutely incredible. UK lawmakers bill taxpayers for their VPNs while saying VPNs put kids at risk."
An analysis of MPs’ expenses data reveals that British lawmakers, including senior government ministers, have charged commercial VPN software subscriptions to the public. Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds, for instance, expensed a two-year NordVPN subscription in April 2024, and Labour MP Sarah Champion has also been noted for similar expenses. These claims are generally considered legitimate business expenses for officials handling sensitive information.
The controversy arises as the UK government, particularly through the Online Safety Act, has raised concerns about VPNs. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle has appeared to suggest that VPN use could put children at risk, linking it to the ability to bypass age verification measures. The Online Safety Act, which came into effect recently, mandates stringent age checks for adult content, leading to a significant surge in VPN usage among the public seeking to circumvent these new restrictions.
While VPNs are legal in the UK and widely used for privacy and security, their increasing adoption to bypass the Online Safety Act's age verification has prompted official scrutiny. Labour MP Sarah Champion previously led a campaign against VPNs, suggesting they could undermine the effectiveness of online safety measures. She stated in 2022 that "If VPNs cause significant issues, the Government must identify those issues and find solutions."
Industry experts, however, emphasize the legitimate security benefits of VPNs, especially for individuals handling confidential data or connecting to unsecured networks. NordVPN's Chief Technology Officer, Marijus Briedis, noted that lawmakers often "handle highly sensitive information daily" and VPNs "reduce [your] risk of being blackmailed over a data leak." The situation highlights a growing tension between individual privacy and security tools and government efforts to regulate online content.