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Slicing corners: When the UK started strictly imposing age verification guidelines on all grownup web sites, many predicted a spike in VPN utilization – and supplier Proton now has the information to show it. However one other uncommon and amusing workaround has additionally emerged.
Proton VPN reported a 1,400% improve in logins from the UK on Friday. The corporate attributed the surge to the stricter enforcement of the On-line Security Act, which mandates stringent ID checks for pornography web sites. Nonetheless, VPNs aren’t the one efficient methodology for accessing restricted websites and social media platforms.
The VPN supplier additionally shared a chart exhibiting that Google searches for “Proton” within the UK elevated by almost 100-fold on Friday. Different companies, resembling NordVPN, have possible additionally seen elevated curiosity from British customers attempting to bypass restrictions by way of worldwide servers.
Following the July 25 enlargement of the On-line Security Act, Pornhub, XHamster, and different grownup web sites started displaying age verification gates when accessed from UK IP addresses. Reddit began enforcing the requirement earlier this month.
Clicking a button to substantiate you are over 18 is not sufficient. The UK communications regulator, Ofcom, now requires age checks by photographs, movies, bank cards, telephone numbers, or ID playing cards.
Clicking a button to substantiate you are over 18 is not sufficient.
Proton additionally reported a 1,000% spike in logins from France in June after Pornhub blocked entry for French users in response to comparable laws. Texas and a number of other other US states have also begun imposing age checks.
Fairly certain it isn’t the footy this time… pic.twitter.com/dQJM87dDaB
– Proton VPN (@ProtonVPN) July 25, 2025
Discord has launched an analogous age gate within the UK for customers trying to alter settings or entry age-restricted channels, however customers have already discovered a workaround.
The designers of the age verification system anticipated that individuals would possibly submit photographs of older adults to keep away from sharing their very own data. What they did not anticipate was the growing realism of recent online game picture modes.
Importing an image of well-known inventory picture mannequin András Arató (aka “Conceal the Ache Harold”) can cross the system’s preliminary verify, however it additionally requires customers to open and shut their mouths to show they’re actual.
You should utilize Dying Stranding’s picture mode to bypass Discord’s age verification https://t.co/o9n0c0lwkI pic.twitter.com/mvYmhZZCVp
– Dany Sterkhov 🛡✈ (@DanySterkhov) July 25, 2025
In response, one person shared screenshots from the sport Death Stranding, which lets gamers manipulate facial expressions in its picture mode. PC Gamer confirmed the trick works by holding a telephone digital camera as much as a TV displaying the in-game footage.
The On-line Security Act has drawn criticism over privateness considerations, however the surge in VPN utilization and different intelligent workarounds, reveals that imposing on-line age verification is proving troublesome, if not inconceivable.
