UK VPN demand soars after debut of Online Safety Act

Searches and sign-ups for VPN providers have surged in the wake of online age checks that were introduced on July 25 as part of the UK's Online Safety Act.

ProtonVPN reported a more than 1,400 percent increase in sign-ups in the UK after age verification requirements took effect.

"Unlike previous surges, this one is sustained, and is significantly higher than when France lost access to adult content," it said. In June, a French law took effect requiring adult websites to verify users.

VPN services are also now featuring heavily in Apple's App Store charts in Britain.

Late last week, UK media regulator Ofcom said: "Tech firms must introduce age checks to prevent children from accessing porn, self-harm, suicide, and eating disorder content."

Complying with the Online Safety Act means that sites must prevent UK users under the age of 18 from accessing "harmful content." The regulator said ...