UK Government's Online Safety Act Sparks VPN Usage Surge

The UK's Online Safety Act (OSA), enacted in 2023, mandates age verification for users accessing pornographic websites. This legislation aims to protect minors from inappropriate content but has led to significant unintended consequences, including a surge in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). Following the law's implementation, VPN downloads reportedly spiked by 1,800%, as users sought to bypass age verification measures. This trend reflects a broader concern about internet freedoms and privacy in the UK.

Adult film site says UK visitors down 77% since age checks came in

While UK officials have stated there are "no current plans" to ban VPNs, they have indicated that "nothing is off the table" regarding measures to safeguard children online. Baroness Liz Lloyd, a tech minister, acknowledged the widespread use of VPNs among children and expressed concerns that this could undermine the effectiveness of the OSA. The government is currently assessing the evidence surrounding VPN usage and its implications for online safety.

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The public response to the OSA has been mixed. Data indicates that visits to Pornhub, a leading adult site, have plummeted by 77% since the law's enforcement, suggesting that many users are either avoiding the site or accessing it through VPNs. Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, reported that VPN usage reached approximately 1.5 million daily users in July 2025, though this number has since declined to around one million. Experts warn that while VPNs provide a means to circumvent restrictions, they also pose privacy risks, particularly if users opt for unreliable or free services.

Adult film site says UK visitors down 77% since age checks came in

Critics argue that the OSA's approach to age verification is flawed and could lead to overreach in content regulation. Concerns have been raised about the potential for important educational and political content to be inadvertently age-gated, limiting access to vital information. Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, has publicly stated that his platform will not comply with age-gating requirements, emphasizing the need for open access to information.

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There is ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness of the OSA in achieving its intended goals. While the government claims the law is fulfilling its purpose of protecting children, some experts suggest that the rise in VPN usage indicates a failure to adequately address the issue. Additionally, the enforcement of age verification has led to increased traffic on non-compliant sites, raising concerns about the safety of minors online.

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• “The Government will continue to monitor the use of circumvention techniques, including VPNs, and any future interventions will be informed by the evidence,” — Baroness Liz Lloyd, UK Tech Minister

Birmingham Mail

• “There are a number of sites whose traffic has grown exponentially, and these are sites that are not complying,” — Alex Kekesi, Executive at Pornhub’s parent company Aylo

Adult film site says UK visitors down 77% since age checks came in

• “If boys are genuinely asking teachers how to choke partners during sex, they’re doing something rare and vulnerable: offering their teachers an opportunity to put them right.” — Unattributed source discussing the need for open conversations about pornography.

iNews

As the UK government continues to navigate the complexities of online safety and privacy, the implications of the Online Safety Act remain a contentious topic. The rise in VPN usage highlights the challenges of enforcing age verification while maintaining user privacy. Moving forward, the government will need to balance the protection of minors with the preservation of internet freedoms and access to information.

Italy to Enforce Age Checks on Adult Websites: Join UK and France