--- title: "Mozilla warns UK: Breaking VPNs will not magically fix Britain's age-check mess" type: raw source: newsletter source_url: https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/18/mozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess/5241770 tags: [vietnam, cloud-computing, government, data-sovereignty] fetcher: jina ingested: 2026-05-20 sha256: b0eaa41888d2 --- Published Time: 2026-05-18T09:54:01.000Z Markdown Content: # Mozilla warns UK: Breaking VPNs will not magically fix Britain's age-check mess [Jump to main content](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/18/mozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess/5241770#main) Search TOPICS * Security * [All Security](https://www.theregister.com/security) * [Cyber-crime](https://www.theregister.com/cyber_crime) * [Patches](https://www.theregister.com/patches) * [Research](https://www.theregister.com/research) * [CSO](https://www.theregister.com/cso) * Off-Prem * [All Off-Prem](https://www.theregister.com/off_prem) * [Edge + IoT](https://www.theregister.com/edge_iot) * [Channel](https://www.theregister.com/channel) * [PaaS + IaaS](https://www.theregister.com/paas_iaas) * [SaaS](https://www.theregister.com/saas) * On-Prem * [All On-Prem](https://www.theregister.com/on_prem) * [Systems](https://www.theregister.com/systems) * [Storage](https://www.theregister.com/storage) * [Networks](https://www.theregister.com/networks) * [HPC](https://www.theregister.com/hpc) * [Personal Tech](https://www.theregister.com/personal_tech) * [Cx0](https://www.theregister.com/cxo) * [Public Sector](https://www.theregister.com/public-sector) * Software * [All Software](https://www.theregister.com/software) * [AI + ML](https://www.theregister.com/ai_ml) * [Applications](https://www.theregister.com/applications) * [Databases](https://www.theregister.com/databases) * [DevOps](https://www.theregister.com/devops) * [OSes](https://www.theregister.com/oses) * [Virtualization](https://www.theregister.com/virtualization) * Offbeat * [All Offbeat](https://www.theregister.com/offbeat) * [Columnists](https://www.theregister.com/columnists) * [Science](https://www.theregister.com/science) * [BOFH](https://www.theregister.com/bofh) * [Legal](https://www.theregister.com/legal) * [Bootnotes](https://www.theregister.com/bootnotes) * [Site News](https://www.theregister.com/site_news) * [About Us](https://www.theregister.com/about_us) * Special Features * [All Special Features](https://www.theregister.com/tag/special_features) * [HPE: AI Explainers](https://www.theregister.com/explainer/ai-explainer) * [RSA Conference](https://www.theregister.com/special_features/rsa) * [Agentic AI](https://www.theregister.com/special_features/agentic_ai) * [The Future of the Datacenter](https://www.theregister.com/special_features/future_of_the_datacenter) * [AWS:Reinvent](https://www.theregister.com/special_features/aws_reinvent) * [Nvidia GTC](https://www.theregister.com/special_features/nvidia_gtc) * [SC25](https://www.theregister.com/special_features/2025_11_sycomp_supercomputing) * [Supercomputing Month](https://www.theregister.com/special_features/2025_11_supercomputing_month) * Vendor Voice * [All Vendor Voice](https://vendorvoice.theregister.com/) * [Infinidat](https://vendorvoice.theregister.com/infinidat/) * [Everpure](https://vendorvoice.theregister.com/everpure/) * [Rubrik](https://vendorvoice.theregister.com/rubrik/) * [Make it real with Capgemini and AWS](https://vendorvoice.theregister.com/aws_capgemini/) * [Money Movement Hub](https://vendorvoice.theregister.com/aws_fis/) * [ZTE](https://vendorvoice.theregister.com/zte_news_and_stories/) * [Nutanix: Scale Kubernetes. 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Logo, The Register](https://www.theregister.com/view-resources/dachser2/public/theregister/logo.svg)](https://www.theregister.com/) * [Sign in](https://account.theregister.com/login) * [Datacenter](https://www.theregister.com/tag/datacenter) * [Security](https://www.theregister.com/security) * [Microsoft](https://www.theregister.com/tag/microsoft) * [AWS](https://www.theregister.com/tag/aws) * [Developer](https://www.theregister.com/tag/developer) * [Open Source](https://www.theregister.com/tag/open%20source) * [IT Careers](https://www.theregister.com/tag/tech%20jobs) * [Columnists](https://www.theregister.com/tag/columnists) * [Who, Me?](https://www.theregister.com/tag/who%20me) * [On Call](https://www.theregister.com/tag/on%20call/) REG AD [Security](https://www.theregister.com/security) Firefox maker says the tools are basic security infrastructure, not teenage contraband Carly Page[Carly Page](https://www.theregister.com/author/carly-page) Published mon 18 May 2026 // 10:54 UTC [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Mozilla%20warns%20UK%3A%20Breaking%20VPNs%20will%20not%20magically%20fix%20Britain%27s%20age-check%20mess%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770&title=Mozilla%20warns%20UK%3A%20Breaking%20VPNs%20will%20not%20magically%20fix%20Britain%27s%20age-check%20mess)[](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Mozilla%20warns%20UK%3A%20Breaking%20VPNs%20will%20not%20magically%20fix%20Britain%27s%20age-check%20mess%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770) Mozilla has warned Britain not to turn VPNs into collateral damage in the government's increasingly desperate hunt for ways to stop kids dodging Online Safety Act age checks. [![Image 4: fake mustache](https://image.theregister.com/5224997.webp?imageId=5224997&x=0.00&y=0.00&cropw=0.00&croph=0.00&heightx=0.00&heighty=0.00&heightw=0.00&heighth=0.00&width=960&height=432&format=jpg) ## Kids say they can beat age checks by drawing on a fake mustache READ MORE](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/04/kids-can-bypass-some-age-checks-with-a-drawn-on-mustache/5224601) In a [submission](https://blog.mozilla.org/netpolicy/files/2026/05/Mozilla-submission_-Growing-up-in-the-digital-world-consultation.pdf) to the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology's "Growing up in the online world" consultation, Mozilla argued that VPNs are "essential privacy and security tools" used by millions of ordinary people, from those securing public Wi-Fi and remote work traffic to journalists, activists, and other vulnerable users. "VPNs serve as critical privacy and security tools for users across all ages," said Svea Windwehr, policy manager at Mozilla. "By hiding users' IP addresses, VPNs help protect users' location, reduce tracking and avoid IP-based profiling." Windwehr added that people rely on VPNs for everything from connecting remotely to school or work networks to avoiding censorship and "simply protecting their privacy and security online." REG AD The filing lands in the middle of an increasingly strange UK debate where privacy tools are being recast as a threat to online safety enforcement. REG AD [VPN usage in the UK surged almost immediately](https://www.theregister.com/on-prem/2025/07/28/uk-vpn-demand-soars-after-debut-of-online-safety-act/840693) after Online Safety Act age checks started rolling out last year, as users scrambled to avoid handing sensitive identity data to adult websites and platforms demanding facial scans or ID verification. Child safety advocates and officials then turned their attention to VPNs themselves, with the Children's Commissioner for England even [suggesting the government](https://www.theregister.com/offbeat/2025/08/19/uk-commissioner-suggests-govt-stops-kids-from-using-vpns/1226303) should explore ways to stop children from using them altogether. Mozilla's response argues the government is chasing the wrong target. ## MORE CONTEXT * ### [US state laws push age checks into the operating system](https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/03/06/us-state-laws-push-age-checks-into-the-operating-system/4750249) * ### [MPs want social media treated more like unsafe toys than harmless apps](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/15/mps-want-social-media-treated-more-like-unsafe-toys-than-harmless-apps/5240578) * ### [Meta U-turns on encryption push for Instagram as DMs go plaintext](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/08/meta-u-turns-on-encryption-push-for-instagram-as-dms-go-plaintext/5235705) * ### [UK age-gating plans risk breaking the internet, privacy groups warn](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/06/uk-age-gating-plans-risk-breaking-the-internet-privacy-groups-warn/5230732) The company pointed to research from Internet Matters suggesting that relatively few children use VPNs in the first place, and that only a small minority use them specifically to bypass age restrictions. Mozilla instead argued that most successful workarounds involve fake birth dates, borrowed accounts, weak age assurance systems, or laughably fragile facial estimation tools that children have reportedly fooled with [drawn-on facial hair](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/04/kids-can-bypass-some-age-checks-with-a-drawn-on-mustache/5224601). Mozilla also pointed out a central problem with age-gating VPNs: users would first need to hand over personal information before accessing software intended to reduce tracking and data collection. Britain is not the only country suddenly developing strong opinions about VPNs.[Denmark recently floated anti-piracy legislation](https://www.theregister.com/on-prem/2025/12/15/denmark-takes-a-viking-swing-at-vpn-enabled-piracy/2834366)broad enough to trigger fears that VPN usage itself could become legally risky, before ministers hurriedly insisted nobody was trying to ban VPNs.Across Europe, VPNs are being treated less like routine security software and more like an obstacle to enforcement as users turn to them to bypass restrictions. Unfortunately for regulators, the technology industry appears to be moving in the opposite direction. [Mozilla has already been testing built-in VPN functionality directly inside Firefox](https://www.theregister.com/on-prem/2025/10/14/mozilla-recruits-beta-testers-for-a-built-in-firefox-vpn/1190725), joining a wider browser trend toward integrating privacy features that previously required separate software. Blocking standalone VPN apps is one thing, but trying to untangle VPN functionality from modern browsers is a much bigger problem. Mozilla's submission repeatedly argues Britain is drifting toward "safety through surveillance" instead of addressing the recommendation systems, engagement algorithms, and platform incentives that actually drive online harms. ® [mozilla](https://www.theregister.com/tag/mozilla)[virtual private networks](https://www.theregister.com/tag/virtual%20private%20networks)[online safety act](https://www.theregister.com/tag/online%20safety%20act)[security](https://www.theregister.com/tag/security)[age verification](https://www.theregister.com/tag/age%20verification)[united kingdom](https://www.theregister.com/tag/united%20kingdom) [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://www.linkedin.com/sharing/share-offsite/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://bsky.app/intent/compose?text=Mozilla%20warns%20UK%3A%20Breaking%20VPNs%20will%20not%20magically%20fix%20Britain%27s%20age-check%20mess%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770)[](https://www.reddit.com/submit?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770&title=Mozilla%20warns%20UK%3A%20Breaking%20VPNs%20will%20not%20magically%20fix%20Britain%27s%20age-check%20mess)[](https://api.whatsapp.com/send?text=Mozilla%20warns%20UK%3A%20Breaking%20VPNs%20will%20not%20magically%20fix%20Britain%27s%20age-check%20mess%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fwww.theregister.com%2Fsecurity%2F2026%2F05%2F18%2Fmozilla-warns-uk-breaking-vpns-will-not-magically-fix-britains-age-check-mess%2F5241770) REG AD [![Image 5: An orange-and-white life ring floats on blue water with a rope trailing beside it.](https://image.theregister.com/5242864.jpg?imageId=5242864&panox=0.00&panoy=0.00&panow=100.00&panoh=100.00&heightx=0.00&heighty=0.00&heightw=100.00&heighth=100.00&width=960&height=432&format=webp&format=jpg) Databases ## PostgreSQL backup tool gets some backup of its own after sole maintainer sounds alarm AWS, Percona, Supabase, pgEdge, and Tiger Data rally round pgBackRest with funding pledge](https://www.theregister.com/databases/2026/05/20/postgresql-backup-tool-gets-some-backup-of-its-own-after-sole-maintainer-sounds-alarm/5242822) [Databases ## London's police asked Big Tech for comms data over 700,000 times last year A Freedom of Information Act request shows the extent of the surveillance](https://www.theregister.com/databases/2026/05/20/londons-police-asked-big-tech-for-comms-data-over-700000-times-last-year/5242590) ## [ZTE Showcases AI Interactive Flat Panel at the Broadband User Congress in Brazil AI interactive flat panel aimed at offices, elder care, and classrooms with built-in conferencing, automation, and monitoring features unveiled](https://www.theregister.com/systems/2026/05/19/zte-showcases-ai-interactive-flat-panel-at-the-broadband-user-congress-in-brazil/5242492) ## [ZTE releases Sustainability Report 2025: driving a new chapter in sustainable development through AI Through its "All in AI, AI for All" vision, ZTE surpasses climate targets, bridges the global digital divide, and strengthens governance resilience](https://www.theregister.com/networks/2026/05/20/zte-releases-sustainability-report-2025-driving-a-new-chapter-in-sustainable-development-through-ai/5243185) [![Image 6](https://image.theregister.com/5241003.jpg?imageId=5241003&panox=0.00&panoy=0.00&panow=100.00&panoh=100.00&heightx=0.00&heighty=0.00&heightw=100.00&heighth=100.00&width=960&height=432&format=webp&format=jpg) Columnists ## Utah tells porn sites to take the P out of VPNs, and it's their fault that they can't Governments can't touch VPNs technically or commercially. The mess they'll make if they try will be off the scale](https://www.theregister.com/columnists/2026/05/18/utah-tells-porn-sites-to-take-the-p-out-of-vpns-and-its-their-fault-that-they-cant/5240978) [Science ## Space factories edge closer after experimental capsule survives hypersonic landing Varda hails success of autonomous touchdown tech and celebrates heat data haul](https://www.theregister.com/science/2026/05/20/space-factories-edge-closer-after-experimental-capsule-survives-hypersonic-landing/5243140) ### MOST POPULAR * [![Image 7](https://image.theregister.com/234872.jpg?imageId=234872&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&panox=0&panoy=0&panow=100&panoh=100&width=70&height=60)](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/18/linus-torvalds-says-ai-powered-bug-hunters-have-made-linux-security-mailing-list-almost-entirely-unmanageable/5241633)[Security #### Linus Torvalds says AI-powered bug hunters have made Linux security mailing list ‘almost entirely unmanageable’](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/05/18/linus-torvalds-says-ai-powered-bug-hunters-have-made-linux-security-mailing-list-almost-entirely-unmanageable/5241633) * [![Image 8](https://image.theregister.com/5240227.jpg?imageId=5240227&x=0&y=13.49&cropw=100&croph=84.87&panox=0&panoy=13.49&panow=100&panoh=84.87&width=70&height=60)](https://www.theregister.com/ai-ml/2026/05/13/google-users-fight-for-refunds-as-unauthorized-api-usage-bills-soar/5239160)[AI + ML #### Google users fight for refunds as unauthorized API usage bills soar](https://www.theregister.com/ai-ml/2026/05/13/google-users-fight-for-refunds-as-unauthorized-api-usage-bills-soar/5239160) * [![Image 9](https://image.theregister.com/5237766.jpg?imageId=5237766&x=0&y=0&cropw=100&croph=100&panox=0&panoy=0&panow=100&panoh=100&width=70&height=60)](https://www.theregister.com/systems/2026/05/16/europe-built-sovereign-clouds-to-escape-us-control-then-forgot-about-the-processors/5237735)[Systems #### Europe built sovereign clouds to escape US control. 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asks automated code deployment outfit](https://www.theregister.com/off-prem/2026/05/20/google-cloud-suspended-major-customer-railwaycom-without-cause-causing-outage/5243111) * [Public Sector #### AI sackings reach New Zealand, which will use it to eject 14 percent of government staff Minister demands AI becomes ‘basic expectation for all public entities’](https://www.theregister.com/public-sector/2026/05/20/ai-sackings-reach-new-zealand-which-will-use-it-to-eject-14-percent-of-government-staff/5243076) ### [FOSS](https://beta.theregister.com/tag/FOSS) * #### [PostgreSQL backup tool gets some backup of its own after sole maintainer sounds alarm AWS, Percona, Supabase, pgEdge, and Tiger Data rally round pgBackRest with funding pledge](https://www.theregister.com/databases/2026/05/20/postgresql-backup-tool-gets-some-backup-of-its-own-after-sole-maintainer-sounds-alarm/5242822) * #### [ZTE releases Sustainability Report 2025: driving a new chapter in sustainable development through AI Through its "All in AI, AI for All" vision, ZTE surpasses climate targets, bridges the global digital divide, and strengthens governance resilience](https://www.theregister.com/networks/2026/05/20/zte-releases-sustainability-report-2025-driving-a-new-chapter-in-sustainable-development-through-ai/5243185) * #### [Space factories edge closer after experimental capsule survives hypersonic landing Varda hails success of autonomous touchdown tech and celebrates heat data haul](https://www.theregister.com/science/2026/05/20/space-factories-edge-closer-after-experimental-capsule-survives-hypersonic-landing/5243140) * #### [Google Cloud suspended major customer Railway.com without cause, causing outage This is the service we get when we spend $10m plus? asks automated code deployment outfit](https://www.theregister.com/off-prem/2026/05/20/google-cloud-suspended-major-customer-railwaycom-without-cause-causing-outage/5243111) * #### [AI sackings reach New Zealand, which will use it to eject 14 percent of government staff Minister demands AI becomes ‘basic expectation for all public entities’](https://www.theregister.com/public-sector/2026/05/20/ai-sackings-reach-new-zealand-which-will-use-it-to-eject-14-percent-of-government-staff/5243076) * #### [Anthropic’s Stainless steal tightens grip on AI dev tooling Claude maker nabs SDK and MCP tooling biz, plans to sunset platform](https://www.theregister.com/ai-ml/2026/05/20/anthropics-stainless-steal-tightens-grip-on-ai-dev-tooling/5243053) ## [FEATURES](https://www.theregister.com/tag/features?_gl=1*esekfm*_ga*NzgyNjE4NzEwLjE3NzExNzQ4MjA.*_ga_JXW44Y23NM*czE3NzY3NTY3MjIkbzEwNSRnMSR0MTc3Njc1Njg5NCRqOCRsMCRoMA..) * [![Image 12](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=5237766&panow=100&panoh=100&panoy=0&panox=0&heighty=0&heightx=0&heightw=100&heighth=100&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### Europe built sovereign clouds to escape US control. Then forgot about the processors](https://www.theregister.com/systems/2026/05/16/europe-built-sovereign-clouds-to-escape-us-control-then-forgot-about-the-processors/5237735) * [![Image 13](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=5240833&panow=100&panoh=100&panoy=0&panox=0&heightx=0&heightw=100&heighth=100&heighty=0&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### Nobody believes the 'criminals and scumbags' who hacked Canvas really deleted stolen student data](https://www.theregister.com/cyber-crime/2026/05/14/security-pros-doubt-canvas-attackers-really-deleted-stolen-student-data/5240799) * [![Image 14](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=5237381&panoy=0&panox=0&panow=100&panoh=100&heightw=100&heighth=100&heighty=0&heightx=0&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### Europe wants out from under US tech – but first it has to find the exits](https://www.theregister.com/public-sector/2026/05/11/europe-wants-out-from-under-us-tech-but-first-it-has-to-find-the-exits/5234898) * [![Image 15](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=5219524&panoh=71.67&panoy=12.5&panox=0&panow=100&heighty=0&heightx=40.45&heightw=41.43&heighth=100&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### GNOME may rule Ubuntu Resolute Raccoon, but X.org isn't roadkill yet](https://www.theregister.com/oses/2026/05/06/gnome-may-rule-ubuntu-resolute-raccoon-but-xorg-isnt-roadkill-yet/5219477) * [![Image 16](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=232540&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### OpenClaw, but in containers: Meet NanoClaw](https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/03/01/openclaw-but-in-containers-meet-nanoclaw/4932592) * [![Image 17](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=4094240&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### Open source registries don't have enough money to implement basic security](https://www.theregister.com/security/2026/02/16/open-source-registries-underfunded-as-security-costs-rise/5168909) * [![Image 18](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=4094152&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### Contain your Windows apps inside Linux Windows](https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/02/14/contain-your-windows-apps-inside-linux-windows/4334445) * [![Image 19](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=253705&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### The Linux mid-life crisis that's an opportunity for Tux-led transformation](https://www.theregister.com/software/2026/02/09/linux-mid-life-crisis-a-tux-led-transformation-chance/4856690) * [![Image 20](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=246863&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### Too much AI for some, too little for others: Why AMD can't win with investors](https://www.theregister.com/on-prem/2026/02/04/why-amds-q1-outlook-is-giving-wall-street-jitters/4464981) * [![Image 21](https://image.theregister.com/?imageId=226970&width=530&height=238&format=webp)### How agentic AI can strain modern memory hierarchies](https://www.theregister.com/special-features/2026/01/28/how-agentic-ai-strains-modern-memory-hierarchies/4429527) ✕ ![Image 22: Logo](https://www.theregister.com/files/2025/10/15/The_register_full_icon_white.svg) Biting the hand that feeds IT ## About Us [Contact us](https://www.theregister.com/profile/contact) [Advertise with us](https://situationpublishing.com/contact/) [Who we are](https://www.theregister.com/profile/about_the_register) [Newsletter](https://account.theregister.com/register/?product=reg_weekly) ## Our Websites [The Next Platform](https://www.nextplatform.com/) [DevClass](https://devclass.com/) [Blocks and Files](https://blocksandfiles.com/) [Situation Publishing](https://situationpublishing.com/) ## Your Privacy [Cookies Policy](https://www.theregister.com/Profile/cookies) [Privacy Policy](https://www.theregister.com/profile/privacy) [Ts & Cs](https://www.theregister.com/profile/terms_and_conditions_of_use) [Do not share my personal information](https://www.theregister.com/Profile/privacy_policy_california_residents/) [Your Consent Options](https://www.theregister.com/profile/terms_and_conditions_of_use) ## Archives [27 years of articles](https://www.theregister.com/archive) ![Image 23: Situation Publishing Logo](https://beta.theregister.com/files/2025/10/09/SituationPublishing_Logo_Evolution_Twolines-White-Barlow%20(1).svg) Copyright. 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