Proton VPN sees sign-ups jump by 1,400%

Proton VPN sees a 1,400% jump in sign-ups as new UK age verification rules take effect.

Proton VPN experiences unprecedented sign-up surge after UK age verification law

Proton VPN reported a staggering 1,400% increase in sign-ups on July 25, coinciding with the enforcement of the UK's age verification law targeting explicit content. This law, under the Online Safety Act, mandates that websites and apps verify users' ages using methods like facial recognition and banking information. The objective is to prevent minors from accessing adult content. Reports indicate that this law affects not only adult sites like Pornhub but also dating platforms such as Tinder and Hinge. Proton VPN's uptick in subscriptions has been unprecedented, previously recording a 1,000% rise after a similar law in France led to Pornhub's withdrawal from the market.

The surge in Proton VPN's sign-ups highlights a growing concern among adults regarding privacy and data security amid increasing government regulations. The immediate response from users to the UK's age verification law suggests that individuals are willing to take measures to protect their online anonymity. This move to VPNs raises additional questions about the effectiveness of age verification in preventing access to explicit content. The high interest in Proton VPN indicates that such laws may push users toward privacy solutions rather than deter access to restricted content.

Highlights

As privacy concerns rise, the effectiveness of new laws comes under scrutiny.