In the UK, the recent enforcement of the Online Safety Act has led to a significant rise in VPN usage, with reports of a 1,400% increase in signups for popular services. The new regulations require age verification for access to adult content, raising concerns about privacy and security. Critics, including political factions like Reform UK, argue the law is ‘borderline dystopian’ and may expose children to greater risks by driving them towards unregulated online environments. Additionally, there are fears surrounding the potential for blackmail as citizens are required to provide identification, including selfies, to view pornography. While the government cites child protection as a priority, many experts and concerned citizens are debating the effectiveness and implications of these new age checks, which are already being bypassed with alarming ease.