Some popular web sites are no longer easily accessible to UK based
citizens due to the rollout of the Online Safety Act on July 25, which
enforces strict age verification requirements for accessing adult
content and certain social media platforms. One report has vpn
software sales increasing by 1,800%.
Age verification isn't just for adult-only content websites, either.
These requirements are set to change how people in the UK will
interact with their social media, gaming, and dating apps, among
others. Some smaller web sites, such as Newsgrouper, are now closed to
access from UK because they don't have the resources to set up and
manage age verification.
Many adults are uncomfortable with intrusive ID checks and fear data
breaches or surveillance. VPNs offer a way to bypass these checks by
masking location and identity.
VPNs like Proton VPN (Swiss) and NordVPN have topped UK app charts,
with Proton reporting a 1,400% spike in sign-ups.
Many free apps are flooding the market, but experts warn they may
contain malware, weak encryption, or sell user data.
Political and Public Backlash: Over 350,000 people have signed
petitions opposing the law, citing threats to privacy and free speech.
Nigel Farage, leader of right-wing political party Reform UK, has
pledged to repeal the rules, labelling them "authoritarian" and a
threat to free speech.
https://thenextweb.com/news/proton-vpn-uk-top-app-age-verification
https://www.cryptopolitan.com/uk-vpn-usage-surges-no-to-safety-rules/
recommended VPN apps:
https://www.techradar.com/vpn/best-vpn
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