VPN Tech Blocks Child Abuse Sites Transparently

ExpressVPN, in collaboration with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF), has developed a new technology named OpenBoundary. This innovation enables network operators to restrict access to verified criminal domains in a safe and transparent manner. As of March 5, 2026, OpenBoundary is designed to block access to all identified child sexual abuse material (CSAM) domains verified by the IWF.

ExpressVPN will implement OpenBoundary across its services, including CyberGhost VPN and Private Internet Access. The company is also making this technology open-source, encouraging other VPN providers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), and cloud platforms to adopt similar safeguards. This move aims to elevate industry standards for privacy-preserving infrastructure.

While VPNs inherently mask user identity and location, OpenBoundary addresses concerns about their potential misuse for accessing illegal content anonymously. Users attempting to access blocked CSAM domains via services utilizing OpenBoundary will be prevented from doing so. ExpressVPN emphasizes that OpenBoundary is a straightforward DNS control, not a cryptographic breakthrough, ensuring no broken encryption or traffic inspection occurs.

This initiative is part of ExpressVPN's broader "Not on My Network" campaign, which seeks to enhance both privacy and protection, fostering a safer digital space for families and children. The company acknowledges that solving online exploitation is a complex issue beyond any single technical measure. However, they assert that privacy infrastructure can implement carefully engineered boundaries to act against illegal material without weakening user protections.