Age verification laws send the use of VPN networks – and open internet threat

After the United Kingdom Online safety law I came into effect on Friday, which require porn platforms and other adult content sites to implement the user’s age verification mechanisms, and use VPNs private networks (VPNS) And other fraud tools that rose in the UK during the weekend.

Experts expected the increase, given that similar trends were visible in other countries that carried out the laws of age. But as A new wave of age examination regulations for the first timeOpen Internet defenders warn that the rise in the use of circumvent tools in the UK is the latest example of how cats and mouse rising between people looking to access unknown services on the Internet and governments seeking to impose content restrictions.

The online safety law requires web sites that host porn content, self -harm, suicide and eating disorder “very effective” ages for visitors from the United Kingdom. These checks can include downloading the identity document and a personal photo to verify health and analysis. In addition to increasing demand for services such as VPNS – which allows users to hide the basic indicators of their online material website – people were also playing with other creative solutions. In some cases, it is reported that you can even use the video game They cut off deathPhoto To take a personal photo of the character, Sam Porter, bridges and present it to reach the content of the forum in the age of age.

For law supporters, there is progress to refer to it as well. UK’s communications organizer says that more than 6,600 pornographic sites have entered the age checks so far. The main social platforms such as Reddit, X and Bluesky added a lifetime of the content now in the United Kingdom or in the process of doing this. Microsoft has started so far Xbox volunteer UK users. But even if this movement is satisfactory at the present time, the advocates of digital rights indicate that the normalization of such mechanisms creates the possibility of its implementation more aggressive in the future.

“I think people just want to show that we can make some progress in this without thinking about the consequences of progress,” says Daniel, Kan Gilmour, the chief employee specialist in the American Civil Liberties Union. “We know that there are some things that you can do to help children have a better relationship with digital tools. This includes a sufficient social support network; it involves listening when children face problems and make sure they have emotional relationships that work with adults who can respond to them.

Sima Shah, Vice President for Research and Vision at Market Intelligence Sensors, says five VPN applications have seen “explosive growth” in particular and receipt Top 10 free applications on the Apple App Store in the UK by Monday.

“According to Tower Sensor estimates, iOS devices have witnessed a greater increase in VPN downloads in the United Kingdom, as downloads have risen via VPN applications specified by an average of 100 percent days during the past four days on iOS against an increase of 5 percent a day for Android devices,” says Shah.