The U.K.’s Online Safety Act has sparked an explosion in VPN downloads

The U.K.'s new Online Safety Act, intended to protect children, is now requiring adults to verify their age online using ID or selfies. This broad legislation, initially targeting pornography, is impacting other websites due to its stringent age verification and content moderation requirements. Consequently, usage of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has surged over 1,000% as people seek to bypass these new online restrictions. Experts like Kate Ruane view this as a threat to privacy and free expression rights. Critics argue the act may inadvertently increase the use of tools that hinder lawful oversight. VPN providers themselves have been surprised by the sudden demand. While VPNs are legal, the government is reportedly considering advertising restrictions. Cybersecurity experts warn that users must choose trustworthy VPNs, prioritizing transparency and strong security features. Professor George Loukas emphasizes that VPNs should be used for cybersecurity, not just to circumvent regulations. The situation places the U.K. alongside countries known for internet restrictions, indicating a loss of public trust in the system.