Brits bypass UK age checks using VPNs and Death Stranding photos

UK users evade age checks using VPNs; ProtonVPN logs shot up by 1400% on Friday.

: In the United Kingdom, stricter age verification rules have caused a notable increase in VPN usage with ProtonVPN reporting a 1,400% surge in UK logins on a specific Friday, attributed to the enforcement of the Online Safety Act. Users are also employing novel methods like using video game photo modes, notably from 'Death Stranding', to bypass photo age checks required by platforms like Discord. The legislative push has led to solutions beyond VPNs, demonstrating creative circumvention that underscores the challenges of imposing online age restrictions. The rapid adoption of such methods to navigate these digital barriers highlights the dynamic interplay between regulation and user ingenuity.

In July 2025, the United Kingdom's dedication to enforcing online age verification through the Online Safety Act has led to increased VPN usage, an anticipated outcome confirmed by the VPN provider Proton. On Friday of that week alone, ProtonVPN observed a surge in logins by 1400% from the UK, attributed to internet users attempting to bypass age verification on adult websites like Pornhub and XHamster. Google searches for 'Proton' also soared nearly 100 times on that day, indicating growing interest in VPN services as a tool to circumvent these national internet barriers. Other services like NordVPN are also likely experiencing increased demand.

Following the legislative push, major adult sites began implementing rigorous age verification processes, requiring users to upload photos, videos, or use other personal means like credit card details or ID cards to access their content. Reddit, similarly, mandated UK users to upload selfies for verification in recent weeks. These measures have pushed internet users to seek creative workarounds, particularly through technology that mimics realistic imagery, such as video game photo modes. 'Death Stranding', a popular game, has emerged as an unexpected toolkit for users to bypass such age checkpoints by creating and manipulating realistic facial expressions for verification processes.

Proton's reported surge is not isolated to the UK; they also noted a 1,000% increase in logins from France previously when similar age restrictions were enforced, showing a pattern of international responses to governmental controls on digital content access. Similarly, Discord has introduced age verification requirements for certain actions and content access, though users have rapidly devised alternative techniques to these checks, highlighting the flexible nature of digital identities and the inherent challenges in enforcing age-based restrictions.

The online community, as demonstrated through platforms like Twitter and shared stories on TechSpot, have been quick to develop and communicate these stratagems, illustrating a collective pushback against perceived intrusive measures. The online safety initiatives, while born out of a desire to protect younger populations, potentially face hurdles due to privacy concerns and technological savvy among internet users. This dichotomy between intent and realization points to complexities in legislating online spaces, where user adaptation often outpaces regulatory development.

Thus, the age verification landscape in the UK remains contentious, as users continue to harness technology both for privacy preservation and for navigating legal constraints. This ongoing tension reflects broader discussions about governmental roles in internet governance and individual rights. Recent reports suggest ongoing debates and evolving legislative approaches to both protect users and respect privacy, while tech-savvy users continue to explore new frontiers through digital means.

Sources: TechSpot, ProtonVPN, PC Gamer

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