Virtual Private Network (VPN) usage has skyrocketed across the UK since the Online Safety Act officially came into force on July 25, 2025. The new legislation mandates that websites, streaming services, and mobile apps hosting adult content implement robust age verification checks to confirm users are 18 or older.
VPNs, which allow users to disguise their IP address and appear as though they are browsing from outside the UK, have become the most popular workaround to avoid these checks. Since most platforms only enforce these restrictions for UK users, anyone appearing to connect from countries like France or the US can bypass the verification process.
At present, downloading and using a VPN in the UK remains legal. In fact, five of the top ten most downloaded free apps on the Apple App Store are VPNs. Premium VPN providers have reported record-breaking download numbers, while even free VPNs — often discouraged by security experts — have seen a dramatic rise.
This surge has fueled speculation about whether the UK government may attempt to ban VPNs. However, Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology Peter Kyle has ruled out an outright prohibition for now. He admitted the government is monitoring VPN use "very closely," stating:
"Some people are finding their way round [the legislation]."
Speaking to the BBC, Kyle urged caution:
“For everybody who’s out there thinking of using VPNs, let me just say to you directly — verifying your age keeps a child safe, keeps children safe in our country. So, let’s just not try and find a way around.”
Cybersecurity specialists remain doubtful about the feasibility of any ban. Graeme Stewart of Check Point compared a possible ban to “banning people from smoking in their own homes – you might not like it, but good luck enforcing it.” Currently, only countries such as China, North Korea, Russia, Iraq, and the UAE outlaw VPNs, highlighting how unusual such a step would be for the UK.
Technical enforcement would require deep-packet inspection of internet traffic, similar to China’s Great Firewall. Harry Halpin from Nym warned this would mean purchasing censorship tools from authoritarian regimes — potentially harming UK businesses that rely on corporate VPNs for secure remote work.
He cautioned such measures could turn Britain into a “digital pariah state”, deterring tech investment.
The Risks of Free VPNs
While VPNs do provide privacy benefits by encrypting data and masking browsing activity, experts warn against free, unverified services. Research suggests that 38% of VPN apps on Android contain malware, while some free providers admit to selling users’ IP addresses as proxy servers.
Cybersecurity consultant Daniel Card described free VPN apps as “riddled with issues,” often acting as “traffic brokers for data harvesting firms.” Similarly, Jamie Akhtar of CyberSmart noted: "If you aren't paying in cash, you're probably paying with your data."
These risks include data harvesting, cyberattacks, and malware distribution, which may leave users more vulnerable than browsing without a VPN.
Despite VPN workarounds, the new rules have significantly reduced traffic to adult platforms. Pornhub, the UK’s most-visited adult site, reported a 38% drop in daily visitors, falling from 3.2 million to just 2 million in early August. XVideos also saw a 47% decline, while OnlyFans usage dropped by over 10%.
Conservative MP Miriam Cates commented on social media: "Pornhub visits down more than 1 million per day. That’s a lot fewer people - including children - watching women being treated like dirt."
A government spokesperson added: “We make no apology for holding platforms to account, to ensure they prevent children from bypassing safety protections. This includes blocking content that promotes VPNs and other workarounds, when they are aimed specifically at young users.”
Still, officials emphasized that many adults use VPNs legitimately for security and privacy, and there is no immediate plan to outlaw them.
