On September 16, Free Mobile announced the launch of a free integrated VPN service for its mobile subscribers, dubbed Free mVPN. Available at no extra cost to users of the Free 5G plan or the Free Series plan, this service aims to enhance user privacy and online security.
How Does Free mVPN Work?
To activate the Free mVPN service at no charge, users can simply navigate to the Free app or their mobile account space. Once activated, the VPN remains operable for 12 hours unless turned off, allowing users to browse the internet securely and anonymously during this period.
According to Free, this initiative aims to empower consumers, as many VPNs are typically costly and potentially burdensome for users.
The Law on Age Verification for Adult Sites
Starting in 2025, a new French law requires pornographic website operators to implement verified age-control mechanisms. This mandate has sparked considerable debate, leading some sites to block access to French users entirely in protest against these requirements.
Concerns Raised by Lawmakers
On September 18, 2025, Socialist deputy Thierry Sother raised concerns with ARCOM, criticizing Free’s free VPN offering for potentially allowing minors to bypass age verification measures on adult content sites. Sother asserts that the VPN could enable users to hide their IP addresses or simulate connections from countries like Italy or the Netherlands.
“This system allows all subscribers—regardless of age—to conceal their IP addresses and simulate connections from Italy or the Netherlands, thus circumventing access restrictions to certain sites, including those aimed at protecting minors.”
He emphasizes that Free’s VPN threatens the efficacy of upcoming regulations aimed at securing online spaces for younger audiences.
“In particular, the government’s project to restrict access to social networks for those under 15 would become impractical if operators provide widespread circumvention tools.”
Free’s Response
In response to inquiries from AFP, Free stated that their VPN service mirrors offerings already available from numerous providers, both domestically and internationally. Furthermore, Free highlighted that free parental controls on mobile plans remain active while the VPN is in use, thereby enabling parents to maintain oversight of their children’s online activities.
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