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#1
Quote from: zappaDPJ on Feb 25, 2026, 17:10:29They are definitely looking at it but I don't think they really understand the impact that could have. As an example it's possible Google could pull out of the UK and add us to its repressive county list which would damage our economy.
As someone who uses a few VPNs for their original purpose (linking private networks) I'm concerned that a sledgehammer approach would break a lot of things.

I've never used the commercial "appear like you're in Outer Elbonia" ones. The "I don't trust this random WiFi network" reasons don't hold water as most traffic is already encrypted (thanks Let's Encrypt) and DNS tunnelling (over TLS or HTTPS) is mainstream.

Even our internet connections (if using OpenReach) are provided using a VPN-like technology (L2TP) although there is not usually any encryption involved in that.

WiFi calling relies on IPSec which is a VPN technology.
#2
Quote from: nowster on Feb 25, 2026, 14:50:36...which are the next on the radar, I believe.

They are definitely looking at it but I don't think they really understand the impact that could have. As an example it's possible Google could pull out of the UK and add us to its repressive county list which would damage our economy.
#3
Quote from: zappaDPJ on Feb 24, 2026, 20:51:25That's the most likely outcome which will be good news for VPN providers.
...which are the next on the radar, I believe.
#4
It's the same as any other prohibition, it will never achieve its stated purpose and in this case I suspect the payload will far out way the intended safeguards.

Children will have more access than they had before via the use of free VPNs and Tor which grants access to the so called dark web. Adults verifying their identity using facial recognition and official documents are putting themselves at real risk in more ways than you can imagine and in the end more important content providers will simply block the UK.

It should be the parent in conjunction with the device manufactures that place restrictions on children's internet use.
#5
Whilst I get the good intentions, this Online Safety Act really needs a rethink.  It must be affecting a darn sight more of the population than it's actually aimed at.
#6
Quote from: Simon on Feb 24, 2026, 14:02:40I wonder if this will mean the end of UK access to Reddit?

That's the most likely outcome which will be good news for VPN providers.
#7
Reddit has been fined more than £14m by the Information Commissioner's Office for failing to keep children safe.

It is the largest fine ever handed out by the information watchdog over children's privacy issues.

An investigation by the data protection watchdog found the US company used children's information unlawfully.

A statement from the ICO said Reddit's failings included not checking the age of users accessing its platform, putting youngsters at risk.

It said Reddit failed to:

• Apply any robust age assurance mechanism and therefore did not have a lawful basis for processing the personal information of children under the age of 13.

• Carry out a data protection impact assessment (DPIA) to assess and mitigate risks to children before January 2025.

Earlier this month, Imgur owner MediaLab was handed a £250,000 fine for similar issues.

https://news.sky.com/story/reddit-fined-14m-by-information-commisioners-office-over-age-verification-checks-13511472

I wonder if this will mean the end of UK access to Reddit?  This new law really needs reviewing, despite it's good intentions. 
#8
IDNet Help / Re: Uboss and ATA adaptors
Last post by nowster - Feb 21, 2026, 23:55:06
I find that different manufacturers (and different models from the same manufacturer) of DECT base station have trouble doing things like Caller ID with handsets from different manufacturers.

The ATA I have is a Grandstream HT812v2. Not with UBoss but with A&A, and not even directly but via an Asterisk server (which is allowing incoming calls to also go to an old Cisco 7940). Port 1 of the ATA is plugged directly into a DECT base station (Panasonic). Port 2 is plugged into the existing house extension wiring (for use in power cuts with hard wired phones).

Since we switched over at the start of January there have been no calls to the landline number other than my own tests!
#9
IDNet Help / Re: Uboss and ATA adaptors
Last post by Tacitus - Feb 21, 2026, 13:43:53
Just to add..... 

The handsets are S700H Pro, which I got in anticipation of having to move to voip.  The new base station is an N530IP PRO.  If you read one lot of Gigaset support stuff, it says they are compatible.  Unfortunately there's another article which says they aren't and it's this latter one which looks corrrect.

You only find this out once you've purchased the kit.....  The handsets are currently usable with the existing base station, so an ATA shouldn't be any problem.
#10
IDNet Help / Re: Uboss and ATA adaptors
Last post by Tacitus - Feb 21, 2026, 13:38:17
I've already got a router which works well enough, but doesn't have an fxs port for an analogue phone.  This means I'll need an ATA, Grandstream seems to be the one most offer. I was hoping to avoid one since I'm not sure how well they work having heard a lot of comments regarding their reliability. 

Otherwise it looks as though I may as well stick with iDNet for phone and broadband and go with the adaptor.  If Uboss is on a one month contract I can always jump ship if need be - at least for the phone  :)