UK VPN usage surges following new age verification rules

Proton VPN reports a major rise in UK logins following new age verification laws.

UK users bypass age verification with clever tricks and VPNs

The enforcement of age verification rules in the UK has led to a remarkable increase in VPN use. Proton VPN recorded a 1,400% rise in logins on Friday due to the stricter Online Safety Act, which now requires adults accessing certain websites to verify their age through various means. This includes submitting photos, videos, or ID cards, moving beyond simple button clicks to confirm age. Additionally, Google searches for "Proton" surged nearly 100-fold. Users have also found amusing ways to bypass verification, using video game technology to upload realistic images of older individuals to fool the system.

The rise in VPN usage signals a pushback against government regulations that many see as overly invasive. While age verification aims to protect minors, its implementation raises significant privacy concerns. The clever workarounds, such as using video game characters for verification, highlight a growing culture of digital resistance. This situation reflects broader tensions between privacy rights and government control over online spaces. As technology evolves, regulations must also adapt to changing methods of evasion, revealing the challenges of enforcing online safety.

Highlights

As digital spaces evolve, so too will the need for balanced regulations that respect privacy.