LONDON, United Kingdom — The Online Safety Act officially came into effect on July 25, establishing new regulations aimed at protecting children from harmful online content, including pornography and materials promoting eating disorders. As a result, some of the internet’s most popular platforms, including Pornhub, X, and Reddit, are implementing or planning to implement age verification systems to restrict access for minors.
The challenges posed by age-restriction laws have created a dilemma for websites that depend on user-generated content. Platforms like Reddit find it difficult to monitor and prevent underage users from accessing inappropriate material. As a result, many have opted for a blanket ban on users younger than 18. This limitation may drive some teenagers to use unregulated virtual private networks (VPNs) to bypass the restrictions.
Since the law took effect, a noticeable surge in VPN usage has been reported among UK residents looking to evade the Online Safety Act. In just a few days, five of the ten most-downloaded free apps in the UK were VPNs. Among these, trustworthy options such as Proton VPN emerged, although NordVPN only offers a seven-day free trial before requiring payment. The remaining three VPNs are notably less reputable and raise concerns about user safety.
Using a VPN entails routing internet traffic through one of its servers before reaching its final destination. This process requires users to trust the VPN provider with their data. The safety of free VPNs can vary significantly, particularly those lacking paid subscription models. If there’s no revenue source for a free VPN, consumers are right to question its business practices.
There’s a common saying that “if the product is free, then you are the product.” For instance, some free VPN services have been known to sell user data or web traffic to advertisers. Hola VPN, for example, admits that it permits a sister company to utilize free users’ IP addresses for proxy services. Similarly, Hotspot Shield faced scrutiny in 2017 from regulatory bodies over allegations involving the sale of users’ personal information. Concerns persist for those using unverified services like FreeVPN.org, which lacks clear contact information and a comprehensive privacy policy.
Malware vulnerability presents another significant risk associated with many free VPN applications. A study conducted in 2016 revealed that nearly 40% of free Android VPN apps contained malicious software. The threat remains prevalent, with more recent reports highlighting free VPNs, shared on platforms like GitHub, being exploited for malicious purposes.
To ensure privacy and security, users must select VPN services that prioritize their safety without exploiting them. Consumers should look for essential indicators of reliability, including transparent pricing, recent independent audits, a physical location listed on the VPN’s website, and a robust privacy policy. In addition to Proton VPN, other reputable free options include hide.me, TunnelBear, and Windscribe.
This surge in online safety regulations, along with the increasing use of VPNs among minors, reflects the ongoing efforts to balance child protection while navigating the complexities of internet freedom and privacy.
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