Massive Number of UK Citizens Advocate for the Abolition of the UK Online Safety Act – Find Out How to Express Your Opinion
In the digital age, the line between online safety and privacy is becoming increasingly blurred, particularly in the UK, where the implementation of the UK Online Safety Act has sparked a wave of concerns and a surge in the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs).
The new age verification rules, which came into force on July 25, 2025, require users to submit sensitive personal data such as facial scans, official IDs, or financial details to prove their age. This move, intended to protect minors from harmful content like pornography, self-harm, suicide, and eating disorder materials, has raised significant questions about privacy, data security, and freedom online.
AdGuardVPN's Chief Product Officer, Denis Vyazovoy, stated that people are concerned about having to upload passports, scan faces, or share banking details. The concerns are valid, given the potential risks associated with these measures.
One of the key concerns is the increased risk of data breaches and identity theft. With the requirement to verify age with personal data, there is a potential for companies to mishandle this information, as demonstrated by recent hacks like the Tea app incident. This raises concerns about companies' ability to protect this sensitive data adequately.
Another concern is the loss of online anonymity and the potential for increased surveillance. The requirement to verify age with personal data removes elements of online anonymity, potentially enhancing surveillance opportunities and creating vulnerabilities to abuse of such data.
The petition to repeal the UK Online Safety Act, currently boasting over 420,000 signatures, argues that the act is too broad and restrictive for a free society. The petition calls for Parliament to repeal the act and work towards proportionate legislation.
As a response to these concerns, Britons are turning to VPN apps in large numbers. NordVPN, ranked as the best VPN app on the market right now, has seen an hourly increase of over 1,400% in sign-ups starting from Friday at midnight. A VPN allows users to evade mandatory age checks and offers enhanced online privacy and security by rerouting internet connections via a secure, encrypted tunnel and minimizing the risk of third-party snooping.
However, it is important to note that using a VPN does not guarantee absolute anonymity on the internet. A data breach of the sensitive data collected for age verification could expose millions of Brits to identity theft, fraud, and other dangers.
The UK Parliament is required to consider for debate any petition that gets more than 100,000 signatures. As the debate unfolds, it is crucial to strike a balance between online safety and protecting users' privacy, data security, and freedom online.
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- In the wake of the UK Online Safety Act's implementation, the rise in VPN usage among Britons suggests a growing concern regarding privacy, data security, and freedom online, particularly in relation to policy-and-legislation and politics.
- As the petition to repeal the UK Online Safety Act continues to gain support, with over 420,000 signatures, it highlights the need for policy-makers to address the balance between online safety and users' privacy, data security, and general-news concerns, such as the increased risk of data breaches and identity theft in computing and gaming environments.
