Privacy vs control: a “whack-a-mole game” with no clear winners

VPNs have gained significant attention in 2025, and not all of it has been positive. The technology's role in circumventing age verification measures and accessing streaming services for reduced prices has consistently landed them in hot water.

Major events, like the arrival of age verification in the UK, have trigged massive increases in VPN demand, with one provider seeing sing-ups rise over 1,000%. Meanwhile, streaming services such as Canal+ have launched legal action against VPN companies for enabling improper access to their services.

As VPNs become increasingly important for accessing day-to-day services, they sit at the center of a growing conflict between privacy and control. However, have the events of 2025 shown that it’s a battle authorities simply can’t win? I think so.