Increased Demand for VPNs in the UK, Outstripping France, Due to Adult Content Regulations
The enactment of the UK's Online Safety Act last Friday has led to a significant increase in VPN usage in the country, with the surge being much larger than what was observed in France. This trend can be attributed to the broader scope of regulation, stricter age verification measures, and harsher penalties for non-compliance in the UK.
Wider Regulatory Scope and Stricter Age Verification
Unlike the French law, which primarily focuses on adult websites, the UK’s Online Safety Act mandates strict age verification not only for adult websites but also for dating platforms like Tinder and Hinge, along with social media sites prone to hosting “harmful content” such as self-harm and eating disorder material. The UK rules potentially require invasive personal data such as facial recognition or financial information for age checks, raising significant privacy fears among users.
Timing and User Reaction
The UK saw an immediate and sustained surge in VPN sign-ups—reports show a 1,400% to 1,800% increase right when the law took effect on July 25, 2025. In contrast, France’s VPN demand peaked at about 570% but lasted only briefly, tied to the specific enforcement of adult site blocking on June 4–6, 2025.
Enforcement and Penalties
The UK's enforcement regime is backed by severe penalties for non-compliance—up to £18 million fines or 10% of global revenue plus potential criminal action against managers. This stronger enforcement pressure likely intensified the public’s reaction and adoption of VPNs to evade controls.
Top VPN Providers
ProtonVPN is currently in the number one spot, and NordVPN is also in the top 10. Five different VPN providers are now among the 10 most downloaded apps through Apple's App Store. Interestingly, Yoti, a third-party age-verification software used by Instagram, OnlyFans, and many other websites, is now one of the most downloaded apps in the UK.
Unconventional Methods to Bypass Age Verification
People in the UK are using various methods, including the photo mode of the video game Death Stranding, to bypass age verification systems. It is unclear why VPN services would see a larger spike in the UK than in France, as it could be due to which sites were blocked or it could suggest which types of content are popular in the UK.
Concerns About Security of Sensitive Information
Some have been hesitant to share personal information to view online content due to concerns about the security of their sensitive information. Elon Musk has called the Online Safety Act a "suppression of free speech." As the UK continues to navigate this new digital landscape, it will be interesting to see how these trends evolve.
The surge in VPN usage in the UK following the implementation of the Online Safety Act is attributed to the broader scope of regulation, requiring strict age verification for not only adult websites, but also dating platforms and social media sites. A significant increase in VPN sign-ups was observed, with reports showing a 1,400% to 1,800% increase right when the law took effect. This enforcement regime is backed by severe penalties for non-compliance, which likely intensified the public’s reaction and adoption of VPNs. ProtonVPN and NordVPN are currently among the most popular VPN providers in the UK, with Yoti, a third-party age-verification software, also being one of the most downloaded apps. However, concerns about the security of sensitive information and the potential suppression of free speech have been raised regarding the Online Safety Act.
