According to TechRadar, the VPN industry is staring down a pivotal 2026 defined by legislative pressure and technological necessity. The UK government is reportedly interested in OS-level content blocking tech like SafeToNet’s HarmBlock on HMD devices, which could make VPNs redundant for bypassing network-level age checks. This interest coincides with real talk of VPN bans or restrictions in the UK, EU, and Australia. On the tech front, the widespread adoption of post-quantum encryption (PQE) is poised to become standard to counter future quantum computing threats, with major holdouts Surfshark and Proton VPN planning to add it in 2026. Meanwhile, everyday security tools like NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro are becoming key differentiators, even as they need to expand beyond computers and catch up to dedicated antivirus software.
The Regulatory Squeeze Play
Here’s the thing: governments are getting tired of playing whack-a-mole. For years, they’d implement a clumsy network-level block for age verification or content, and VPNs would swoop in as the easy bypass tool. It’s been a cat-and-mouse game. But now, the mouse might just try to outlaw the cat. The idea of OS-level blocks, like the SafeToNet and HMD example, is a genuine threat to the VPN value proposition for casual users. Why bother with a VPN if the block is baked into the device itself?
So the dilemma for lawmakers becomes clear. Do they invest in complex, device-level safeguards? Or do they take the seemingly easier path and just restrict or ban the circumvention tool? Given the political appeal of “doing something” about online safety, targeting VPNs looks like the low-hanging fruit. We’ve already seen the rhetoric in Australia. For users, this could mean a fractured internet experience depending on where you live, and a real hunt for providers willing to operate in restrictive jurisdictions. For the VPN companies, it means lobbying, legal battles, and potentially pulling out of markets. It’s a messy, expensive fight that’s coming to a head.
The Quantum Countdown Is Real
While politicians argue, a quieter, more existential tech race is on. The quantum computing threat isn’t science fiction anymore. The “harvest now, decrypt later” attack strategy is real—adversaries are collecting encrypted data today, banking on being able to crack it open with a quantum computer tomorrow. If your VPN doesn’t have post-quantum encryption, it’s like building a vault with a lock that everyone knows will be pickable in a few years.
That’s why 2026 is so crucial for PQE rollout. It’s basically table stakes for any service that wants to be taken seriously as a privacy tool. The fact that big names like Surfshark and Proton are still playing catch-up is a bit surprising, honestly. But their roadmaps promise it’s coming. For the average user, this is mostly invisible but vital background work. You won’t “feel” the difference, but your data’s long-term security depends on it. The providers that drag their feet on this aren’t just behind on a feature—they’re fundamentally undermining their product’s future promise.
Everyday Tools Become The Battleground
Now, beyond the high-stakes drama of bans and quantum apocalypses, there’s the day-to-day battle for your subscription. With core VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN being pretty solid now, companies are competing on the extras. And that’s where features like ad-blocking, malware scanning, and data leak alerts come in. Look at NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro—it’s good, but it’s still desktop-only and can’t replace your antivirus. There’s a huge gap there.
This is where the real innovation for users will happen in 2026. Can these VPN-added security tools get good enough that you *could* ditch a separate antivirus? That’s the holy grail. For businesses and enterprises, a VPN that bundles robust endpoint security is incredibly appealing—it simplifies IT stacks. It also pushes VPN providers into direct competition with traditional cybersecurity firms. So we’re not just talking about a privacy tool anymore; we’re talking about a potential all-in-one security suite. That’s a massive shift.
A Year of Necessary Evolution
So what’s the bottom line for 2026? Don’t expect some flashy new protocol to change everything. The revolution this year is about survival and maturity. VPNs are in the spotlight, for better and worse. Governments see them as a problem to be solved. Quantum computers see them as a puzzle to be cracked. And users are starting to see them as more than just a button to watch Netflix from another country.
The successful providers will be the ones who navigate all three fronts: fighting bad legislation, future-proofing their encryption, and making their apps genuinely useful security hubs. If they can do that, they become indispensable. If they can’t, they’ll get left behind or legislated out of existence. It’s a tough road, but it’s pushing the entire industry to grow up. Fast.
