UK's popular app charts see a surge as Proton VPN leads, coinciding with the implementation of age checks for pornographic content
The implementation of the Online Safety Act in the UK has led to a surge in the popularity of Proton VPN, as users seek to evade the new law's age verification requirements for accessing adult content online.
The Online Safety Act, which applies to websites such as Pornhub, Reddit, and TikTok, mandates strict age verification for accessing adult content. In response to this, UK users have turned to VPN services like Proton VPN to mask their location and continue unverified access to the content.
This shift has made Proton VPN the most downloaded free app in the UK, surpassing popular apps like ChatGPT[1]. The surge in sign-ups for Proton VPN has been "sustained" and contrasts with short-term spikes due to other legislation[7].
Six of the top ten free apps in Apple's UK ranking are currently VPN services, including Yoti, NordVPN, and Free VPN[2]. This growing demand for VPNs has raised concerns that the government could potentially ban the services[3]. However, Jake Moore, global cybersecurity advisor at Slovakian software firm ESET, has stated that the UK is unlikely to ban VPNs[5].
The Online Safety Act aims to protect minors from accessing harmful or adult content online. However, its implementation has sparked a petition with over 350,000 signatures, triggering a parliamentary review[6]. Katie Freeman-Tayler of children's safety group Internet Matters has expressed concerns about children easily accessing VPNs[4].
Ofcom, the UK's communications regulator, has warned against using VPNs to sidestep the new rules[8]. Criticism of the Online Safety Act by Proton VPN and other tech firms includes concerns about erosion of user privacy[9].
References: 1. Proton VPN Becomes UK's Most Downloaded Free App on Apple's App Store 2. Six of the Top Ten Free Apps in Apple's UK Ranking are VPN Services 3. Growing Demand for VPNs Raises Concerns of Potential Government Ban 4. Katie Freeman-Tayler: Children Easily Accessing VPNs is a Concern 5. Jake Moore: UK Unlikely to Ban VPNs 6. Online Safety Act Petition Triggers Parliamentary Review 7. Sustained Surge in Proton VPN Sign-ups Contrasts with Short-term Spikes due to Other Legislation 8. Ofcom Warns Against Using VPNs to Sidestep New Rules 9. Criticism of the Online Safety Act by Proton VPN and Other Tech Firms Includes Concerns about Erosion of User Privacy
In light of the Online Safety Act imposing strict age verification for accessing adult content, UK users are flocking to VPN services like Proton VPN to conceal their location, using technology to circumvent the new regulations. This surge in popularity, as seen in the app's record-breaking status as the most downloaded free app in the UK, is raising questions about potential governmental restrictions on such technology.
