VPN programs have become the most popular in the UK after the new law

• Proton VPN has become the most downloaded program in Great Britain following the introduction of the law.
• The law requires sites to verify the age of users before granting access to adult content.
• The increase in the popularity of VPNs has led to concerns over the security of users' data.

Great Britain is observing an increase in the popularity of virtual private networks (VPNs) following the introduction of a new online safety law, which mandates sites to verify the age of users before granting access to adult content. This law takes effect at midnight on July 25, 2025.

Since its implementation, Proton VPN has become the most downloaded free program in the App Store of Great Britain. It is reported that the number of new Proton VPN subscribers has surged by 1400% in the first days following the law's commencement.

Along with the new requirements, sites like Pornhub and Reddit are obligated to implement strict age verification methods, which include uploading an official document or using third-party services for identification. This has been done to prevent underage access to harmful content.

VPNs serve to mask the location of users, allowing them to bypass new restrictions, especially when they connect from different countries. This has raised concerns among experts, who warn about the risks of using free VPNs.

Besides Proton, six other VPN programs have made it to the list of the ten most popular free apps in Great Britain. Experts from the information safety field indicate that many free VPNs may not ensure the necessary level of data protection.

Representatives from the organization Internet Matters have expressed concern that children may easily gain access to VPNs, bypassing important safety mechanisms introduced by the online safety law.

The UK government is warning about the possibility of banning VPNs, but experts believe that this will be difficult to implement without infringing on users' rights.

Tags: Europe/Technology