Surge in VPN Usage Following UK's Online Safety Act Age Verification Mandates
Explore how the UK's Online Safety Act has triggered a massive increase in VPN usage due to stringent age verification requirements. Learn about the implications for privacy and digital access.
TL;DR
The implementation of the UK’s Online Safety Act, which includes strict age verification controls, has led to a significant surge in VPN usage, raising concerns about privacy and access to digital content.
Introduction
As the UK’s Online Safety Act took effect on Friday, introducing stringent age verification controls, the use of virtual private network (VPN) services skyrocketed across the region. This article explores the reasons behind this surge and the broader implications for digital privacy and access.
Surge in VPN Usage
Top10VPN, a global monitor of VPN traffic, reported a staggering 1,327% increase in UK VPN traffic on July 25 compared to the average of the preceding four weeks. This trend continued, with a 1,712% increase on July 26 and nearly 2,000% on July 271.
Understanding the Online Safety Act
The Online Safety Act mandates age verification for users accessing a wide range of websites, including social media, gaming, and search engines. The goal is to protect minors from harmful content, which includes not only sexual material but also content related to suicide, self-harm, and eating disorders. Non-compliant sites face fines or potential bans in the UK.
Age Verification Methods
The UK’s communications regulator, OFCOM, suggests several methods for age verification:
- Using open banking information
- Photo ID matching with facial recognition
- Mobile operator age verification
- Credit card checks
- Email analysis
- Digital identity services
- Age estimation from selfies2
Privacy Concerns and VPNs
The stringent verification methods have raised privacy concerns among adult users. Additionally, some minors may attempt to bypass these controls to access restricted content. These factors contribute to the increased use of VPNs, which allow users to mask their IP addresses and appear to be browsing from different locations.
How VPNs Work
VPNs connect a user’s device to a VPN provider’s server, which then serves as the gateway to the internet. This allows users to bypass geographical restrictions and access content that may be blocked in their region.
Implications of VPN Use
UK Science Secretary Peter Kyle downplayed the significance of VPN usage, arguing that few children seek harmful content online. However, OFCOM reports that 8% of children aged 8 to 14 access online porn monthly, with the figure rising to nearly one in five boys in that age group3.
Industry Responses
Several VPN providers have reported significant increases in sign-ups:
- Proton VPN saw a 1,400% surge in UK sign-ups4.
- Windscribe reported a massive spike in daily sign-ups on July 255.
- AdGuard noted a 60% increase in website traffic from UK users, with a significant rise in VPN installs6.
Government Response
Peter Kyle stated that the government has addressed up to 90% of the problem and will continue to monitor the situation. He also mentioned that VPNs will not be banned but will be closely scrutinized7.
Conclusion
The implementation of the UK’s Online Safety Act has led to a significant increase in VPN usage, highlighting concerns about privacy and digital access. As the government continues to monitor the situation, the role of VPNs in bypassing age verification controls remains a contentious issue.