PETITIONRejectedPetition · petition.parliament.uk
Remove VPN restrictions and device-level surveillance from the Schools Bill.
Amend the Children’s Wellbeing & Schools Bill to remove any clause on digital guidance that threatens encryption/privacy. Remove VPN ban for minors and all mandates for "tamper-proof system software" on personal devices. Prohibit any age-verification requirements for VPN and communication services.
Last fetched 03 May 2026 · petition.parliament.uk
Signatures
13
signatures
Government response threshold (10,000) · 13/10,000
Debate threshold (100,000) · 13/100,000
Background
Restricting VPNs requires universal ID checks. This destroys privacy and autonomy and creates a loop where surveillance triggers workarounds, which are met with further control. "software" is a backdoor that scans messages and can result in false positives, also breaking encryption. This threatens whistleblowers & journalists who are fundamental to democracy. Who decides exemptions? It is authoritarian to treat all citizens as suspects. Police should use targeted stings, not mass surveillance.