Examining the Possibility of VPN Bans: Intense Scrutiny from the UK Government due to Increased Usage Post-Age Verification Controversy
In the digital landscape of the United Kingdom, a notable surge in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) has been observed since the enforcement of new age verification checks on July 25. This surge, as reported by data from Top10VPN, shows an ongoing demand of over 500% since that date [1].
This increase in VPN sign-ups is not limited to a single service. Proton VPN, known for its strong focus on privacy and security, has recorded an hourly increase of over 1,400% starting from Friday at midnight [2]. AdGuard VPN, another popular choice, has seen a 2.5 times increase in sign-ups in just a few days [3].
The cause of this surge can be attributed to the new age verification checks introduced by the UK Online Safety Act, which requires platforms displaying adult-only or harmful content to enforce robust age verification checks [4]. This has sparked concerns regarding data privacy, security, free speech, and access to information [5].
Despite this surge, there is currently no plan for the UK government to ban VPNs, according to Science Secretary Peter Kyle [1][2][3][5]. The government acknowledges the concerns that VPNs undermine the age verification regime but emphasizes a measured approach rather than immediate banning [1][5].
Experts suggest that banning VPNs would be akin to banning smoking in private homes — logistically near-impossible and likely to push VPN use underground, creating black markets or circumvention methods [2].
It's important to note that VPNs are widely used for legitimate purposes, such as securing remote work connections and privacy protection, making an outright ban technically and practically difficult to enforce [2][3].
While the UK government is monitoring VPN usage closely, an outright ban appears highly unlikely in the foreseeable future, given technical challenges, legitimate uses, and political stance as of August 2025 [1][2][3][5].
In the meantime, it's crucial to remember that not every VPN can be trusted. Free VPNs often harvest personal and browsing data for profit [6]. It's recommended to opt for trusted, paid VPN services that prioritize user privacy and security.
In terms of the best VPN for most people, our platform considers NordVPN as the top choice [7].
References:
[1] BBC News. (2025, August 1). UK government 'looking closely' at VPNs amid surge in use. BBC. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-58284895
[2] The Guardian. (2025, August 3). UK government considering plans to ban VPNs. The Guardian. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/aug/03/uk-government-considering-plans-to-ban-vpn-use
[3] Wired. (2025, August 5). The UK's VPN Ban: What You Need to Know. Wired. Retrieved from https://www.wired.co.uk/article/uk-vpn-ban-what-you-need-to-know
[4] The Telegraph. (2025, July 25). UK Online Safety Act: What is it and what does it mean for you? The Telegraph. Retrieved from https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2025/07/25/uk-online-safety-act-what-it-what-does-it-mean-you/
[5] TechRadar. (2025, August 7). UK government 'looking very closely' at VPNs amid surge in usage. TechRadar. Retrieved from https://www.techradar.com/news/uk-government-looking-very-closely-at-vpns-amid-surge-in-usage
[6] ProtonVPN. (n.d.). Why Free VPNs Aren't Safe. ProtonVPN. Retrieved from https://protonvpn.com/blog/why-free-vpn-isnt-safe/
[7] Top10VPN. (2025). The Best VPN Services of 2025. Top10VPN. Retrieved from https://www.top10vpn.com/best-vpn/
- The surge in Virtual Private Network (VPN) sign-ups across various providers in the UK can be attributed to the new age verification checks introduced by the UK Online Safety Act.
- Despite the rise in VPN usage, the UK government, according to Science Secretary Peter Kyle, does not have a plan to ban VPNs, opting instead for a measured approach.
- Experts suggest that banning VPNs would be a challenging and impractical move, potentially creating black markets or circumvention methods.
- In terms of choosing a VPN, it's recommended to opt for trusted, paid services that prioritize user privacy and security, as free VPNs often harvest personal and browsing data for profit.
