Downloads of virtual private networks (VPNs) have soared across the UK in response to the introduction of new online age verification checks for adult content and restricted websites. Since the changes came into force on Friday, several VPN apps have climbed to the top of Apple’s download charts. Swiss-based provider Proton reported a staggering 1,800% rise in daily sign-ups, indicating a dramatic uptick in public interest. This reaction highlights a growing desire among users to bypass the UK’s new measures, which are part of the broader Online Safety Act.
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A VPN, or virtual private network, allows users to route their internet traffic through servers in other countries, effectively disguising their true location. This enables users to avoid country-specific restrictions by making it appear as though they are accessing content from a different place. By doing so, they can sidestep location-based barriers such as Britain’s new online age verification requirements. While many people use VPNs for privacy or security, this recent surge suggests many are seeking to evade regulation rather than protect their anonymity.
Although VPNs are legal in the UK, using them to access age-restricted content may breach terms of service for certain websites. However, it is not a criminal offence. Still, there are risks involved. By funnelling all internet activity through a single provider, users are placing considerable trust in that company. There have been cases of free VPNs logging data or even being compromised. Experts recommend selecting reputable paid services with clear “no logs” policies and independent audits. Jake Moore, a cybersecurity adviser at ESET, advises against using free VPNs, warning that some have previously sold user data to advertisers.
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The government is monitoring the situation closely. Technology Secretary Peter Kyle stated that platforms promoting VPNs as a method to circumvent age checks would be held accountable. Nevertheless, officials acknowledge that individual users will likely continue to exploit VPNs. Melanie Dawes, chief executive of Ofcom, told MPs that persistent teenagers would still find ways to bypass restrictions. As VPN technology becomes more sophisticated, pressure may grow to implement further regulations. Meanwhile, age verification options on sites include facial AI scans, credit card verification, or submitting identification—methods that can be avoided altogether when a VPN masks the user’s location.
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