The number of Britons downloading virtual private network (VPN) apps has soared over the weekend, following the rollout of new age verification rules under the UK’s Online Safety Act, raising questions about the feasibility of enforcing digital controls in an open society.
Proton VPN, developed by Swiss-based Proton AG, overtook ChatGPT to become the most downloaded free app on Apple’s UK App Store over the weekend, according to Apple’s app charts.
Other VPN apps from Nord Security and Super Unlimited also broke into the top ten. Proton reported a 1,400% spike in sign-ups from UK-based users after the new law came into effect.
“We would normally associate these large spikes in sign-ups with major civil unrest,” Proton reportedly said.
The rush to install VPNs, tools commonly used in countries like China and Iran to circumvent government firewalls, suggests a significant proportion of UK internet users are unwilling to comply with digital identification measures intended to protect minors from online harm.
UK users embrace tech tools to scale digital fences
Under the Online Safety Act, which was passed by the Conservative government in 2023 but came into force in stages, thousands of platforms hosting adult content, including social media platforms such as X, TikTok, Reddit, are now required to implement age verification or “age assurance” systems for UK users.
Regulator Ofcom, which began enforcing the rules last Friday, says the aim is to restrict access to harmful online material, including pornography, content promoting self-harm, eating disorders, or suicide, for children under the age of 18. Companies that fail to comply risk fines of up to £18 million or 10% of their global revenue.
Even though VPNs offer an easy workaround, cybersecurity pros and privacy advocates argue that the real-time digital ID checks infringe on civil liberties.
“This is what happens when people who haven’t got a clue about technology pass legislation,” said Anthony Rose, a UK-based entrepreneur and former BBC iPlayer architect, in a post on X. “It takes less than five minutes to install a VPN. That’s the beauty of VPN. You can be anywhere you like.”
How secure is the UK’s content safety net?
Ofcom acknowledged over the weekend that age checks are “not a silver bullet”, but insisted they are a step toward reducing accidental exposure of children to graphic or harmful content.
“Until now, kids could easily stumble across porn and other online content that’s harmful to them without even looking for it,” the regulator said in a statement. “Age checks will help prevent that.”
Still, the backlash is growing. More than 290,000 people have signed a petition on the UK Parliament website calling for the repeal of the Online Safety Act, with the vast majority of signatures submitted in just the past few days. Since it has surpassed the 100,000 threshold, Parliament is now obliged to consider it for debate.
The UK’s regulation is being closely watched by other democracies exploring similar legislation.
The Online Safety Act has already created diplomatic friction. Some officials in the US, particularly within the Republican-aligned bloc, have voiced concern over its implications for freedom of speech and digital sovereignty.
However, UK technology secretary Peter Kyle said the rules are “not up for negotiation,” even as London pursues a broader digital trade agreement with Washington.
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