UK has rolled out its strictest age verification laws for online pornography in the world. However, the new age restriction law has led to a sharp rise in VPN usage as users seek to bypass the new restrictions. As reported by The Independent, UK has witnessed 500% increase in searches related to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs). The stringent new regulations, which came into full effect on July 25th, aim to prevent under-18s from accessing pornography and other harmful online material. As per the new law any website offering adult content to UK users must implement “highly effective” age checks to verify that visitors are over 18. These checks may include photo ID uploads, facial recognition, or credit card verification.
What do the new rules require
As per the new law online platforms RedTube, Pornhub and other social media sites such as X and Reddit must block access to adult content unless users pass the strict age verification. UK’s media regulator Ofcom has warned that failure to comply with the law then would be fined for up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue. The law also allow the websites to select the verification method as per their reference as simple age declarations or checkboxes are not longer acceptable. There are chances that some platforms may block UK users completely instead of implementing the checks.
VPN usage skyrockets
As reported by The Independent, after the implementation of strict age verification law, Google Trends data shows that searches for ‘VPN’ in the UK surged by over 700%. VPNs allow users to mask their location, making it appear as though they’re accessing the internet from countries without such restrictions. The legal experts and privacy advocates warn that while Ofcom can geo-block sites, VPNs remain a simple workaround for many users. Critics also argue that the new rules could push users toward unregulated or fringe platforms, increasing exposure to unsafe content.
Privacy concerns and industry pushback
As per the report, some major adult content providers such as Aylo, which operates Pornhub and YouPorn, have called the checks “ineffective, haphazard, and dangerous,” citing risks to user privacy. They advocate for device-based age verification rather than server-side data collection, arguing that the current approach could jeopardise sensitive personal information. As the UK attempts to create a “safer online life,” the rollout of these rules has sparked a fierce debate over privacy, censorship, and digital freedom.
