ProtonVPN Sign-ups Surge 1,400% as UK Enforces Online Safety Act Age Checks

The UK witnessed a dramatic surge in virtual private network (VPN) downloads following the enforcement of age verification rules under the Online Safety Act. ProtonVPN, developed by Swiss-based Proton AG, reported a 1,400% increase in UK user sign-ups immediately after the law took effect in mid-July 2025, surpassing even ChatGPT to become the most downloaded free app on Apple’s UK App Store. Competitors such as Nord Security and Super Unlimited also climbed into the top ten, reflecting a broader shift in user behavior as individuals sought to bypass the new restrictions [1][2]. The spike, described by Proton as akin to those seen during major civil unrest, underscores growing resistance to the government’s digital identification measures [1].

The Online Safety Act, enacted under the Conservative government in 2023, mandates platforms hosting adult content—including social media giants like X, TikTok, and Reddit—to implement age verification or “age assurance” systems for UK users. Enforced by regulator Ofcom, the rules require users to confirm their age via facial recognition, government ID checks, or bank-verified services. Non-compliant platforms face fines of up to £18 million or 10% of global revenue, whichever is greater. While the law aims to shield children under 18 from exposure to pornography, self-harm content, and other harmful material, critics argue it imposes undue burdens on users and risks infringing on privacy rights [1][2].

The backlash has been swift. Over 290,000 people signed a parliamentary petition demanding the law’s repeal within days, prompting mandatory debate in the House of Commons. Privacy advocates and cybersecurity experts highlight the ease of circumventing the rules using VPNs, which mask users’ IP addresses and location data. Anthony Rose, a UK entrepreneur and former BBC iPlayer architect, criticized the legislation as technologically illiterate, noting that “installing a VPN takes less than five minutes” [1]. Meanwhile, Ofcom acknowledged that age checks are not foolproof but insisted they represent a necessary step toward reducing accidental exposure to harmful content [1].

The trend mirrors similar surges in France, where a 1,000% increase in VPN sign-ups followed the introduction of comparable rules in June 2024, and in Turkey, where a 1,100% spike occurred after internet restrictions tightened [2]. In the U.S., ProtonVPN also saw a 300% surge in sign-ups during a temporary TikTok outage earlier this year, illustrating a recurring pattern of regulatory resistance [2]. Analysts caution that the UK’s approach may struggle to balance its goals with user freedom, particularly as bypass methods remain accessible. While the government insists enforcement is non-negotiable, even as it pursues a digital trade agreement with the U.S., the law’s long-term effectiveness will hinge on its adaptability to evolving circumvention tools [1][2].

The debate has spilled into international policy discussions, with some U.S. officials expressing concerns over the law’s implications for free speech and digital sovereignty. Critics warn that the proliferation of unregulated tools to evade oversight could create unintended risks, though proponents argue the law’s benefits for protecting minors outweigh these challenges [1]. For now, the 1,400% spike in ProtonVPN sign-ups stands as a clear indicator of public sentiment: users in an open society are willing to adopt technology to maintain digital autonomy, even in the face of stringent regulatory efforts [1][2].

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[1] [UK VPN usage surges as internet users say 'no thanks' to...](https://www.cryptopolitan.com/uk-vpn-usage-surges-no-to-safety-rules/)

[2] [This VPN Got a 1400% Spike in Sign-ups Amid UK's New...](https://www.pcmag.com/news/this-vpn-got-a-1400-spike-in-sign-ups-amid-uks-new-porn-age-restrictions)

[3] [VPN use surges in UK as new online safety rules kick in](https://www.ft.com/content/356674b0-9f1d-4f95-b1d5-f27570379a9b)

[4] [UK online safety law sparks massive VPN surge](https://ppc.land/uk-online-safety-law-sparks-massive-vpn-surge/)

[5] [The UK's new age-gating rules are easy to bypass](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44692897)

[6] [Sudden spike in searches for VPNs as porn users look to...](https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14942751/Sudden-spike-searches-VPNs-porn-users-look-new-ID-checks.html)