The UK's recent implementation of stringent age verification laws for online pornography has triggered a massive surge in VPN adoption as users seek to bypass the new restrictions. These regulations, a part of the Online Safety Act, require adult content websites to implement "highly effective" age checks, potentially including photo ID uploads, facial recognition, or credit card verification, to ensure visitors are over 18. The UK's communications regulator, Ofcom, has warned that failure to comply with the law could result in fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue. These rules apply not only to adult content websites but also to dating platforms such as Tinder and Hinge.
The implementation of these rules on July 25, 2025, has led to a significant increase in VPN usage. Proton VPN, a widely used privacy service, reported a 1,400% spike in sign-ups on the day the new regulations came into force. This surge reflects growing concerns among UK internet users regarding the privacy implications of mandatory age checks. Google Trends data also indicates a substantial increase in searches for "VPN" in the UK. The Independent reported a 500% increase in searches related to VPNs. Some reports indicate even higher surges; Proton VPN reported over an 1800% increase in daily sign-ups from UK-based users since Friday.
VPNs encrypt a user's internet traffic and reroute it through servers in other locations, masking their identity and location. This allows users to bypass regional restrictions, including age verification requirements, by making it appear as though they are accessing the internet from a country without such restrictions. By connecting to a server outside the UK, users can obtain a different IP address, effectively bypassing the UK porn ban and ID requirements.
Several VPN providers are popular choices for bypassing the UK porn ban. NordVPN is often cited as the best overall VPN for this purpose, offering a large server network, fast speeds, and strong security features. Surfshark is another popular option, particularly for users on a budget. Proton VPN is also recommended, especially for privacy-focused users. Other VPNs mentioned include ExpressVPN, IPVanish, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and PrivateVPN.
Critics argue that the new regulations could push users toward unregulated or fringe platforms, increasing exposure to unsafe content. Some platforms may block UK users altogether rather than implement the age checks. Aylo, which runs popular porn sites like PornHub and YouPorn, described age verification checks as “ineffective, haphazard and dangerous”, jeopardising users' safety and privacy. There are also concerns about the potential for data leaks and fraud associated with sharing sensitive personal information for age verification.
Despite the government's aim to protect minors, the surge in VPN usage highlights the challenges of enforcing digital restrictions in a globalized internet ecosystem. Legal experts and privacy advocates warn that VPNs remain a simple workaround for many users. Some have noted that Ofcom has no way to prevent VPN use to circumvent the age checks. Opposition to the new rules has grown, with a petition demanding the Online Safety Act be retracted gaining over 280,000 signatures.
