The Education Minister denies ever considering banning Virtual Private Networks as part of the social media ban for under-16s, but says the tool was talked about.

The Post reported this morning Erica Stanford was looking at prohibiting VPNs, which lets internet users mask their location and online address.

The Prime Minister and Stanford rejected the claim.

She says they discussed VPNs in a different context. 

"They can be used for children to get around social media bans, and we also talked about the fact that big tech firms have the ability to know when children are doing that."

LISTEN ABOVE

The Education Minister denies ever considering banning Virtual Private Networks as part of the social media ban for under-16s, but says the tool was talked about.
The Post reported this morning Erica Stanford was looking at prohibiting VPNs, which lets internet users mask their location and online address.
The Prime Minister and Stanford rejected the claim.
She says they discussed VPNs in a different context.&nbsp;
"They can be used for children to get around social media bans, and we also talked about the fact that big tech firms have the ability to know when children are doing that."
LISTEN ABOVE

With a straight down the middle approach, Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive on Newstalk ZB delivers the very latest news and views to New Zealanders as they wrap up their day.

Heather du Plessis-Allan Drive

Erica Stanford: Education Minister explains why Government not looking to ban VPNs

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/7784f840-c291-422a-924b-ad9000bbad71/clips/bf16282a-2fd6-492b-a1fb-b4800064e395/transcript