Exploring privacy and choice in the UK digital landscape in 2025
More Britons than ever are turning to Virtual Private Networks as enforcement of the UK’s Online Safety Act begins.
Recent figures show VPN usage in the UK is reaching record levels in 2025. Amid growing concern about digital surveillance, data breaches and the introduction of age-verification rules, more and more Britons are turning to VPN solutions to add security, and anonymity, to their online activities. The UK Online Safety Act first passed into law in 2023, however deadlines for online services to implement these new requirements really only kicked in from February this year.
LONDON, October 2025 – www.vpnonline.co.uk
“As we are seeing online services implementing new verification checks to comply with these new regulations, enquiries into VPN services have been consistently rising. We are now seeing more interest than ever from people wanting more information about how they can secure their online activities” said Paul Martin, founder of vpnonline.co.uk, a UK-based VPN comparison and privacy resource.
What’s changing in the UK
Two years ago in October 2023, the Online Safety Act (OSA) was given royal assent and became law in the UK. The OSA includes a phased implementation of requirements for online services to risk assess the potential for illegal content and later ensure age verification was implemented to ensure a child safe internet. As a father with 2 young children, I am reassured that the government is taking their online safety more seriously, but this does present privacy challenges that many people are concerned about.
“The goal of safer online spaces has wide support for obvious reasons, but how much personal data are we prepared to hand over to achieve this?” – Casey Charles, editor at VPNOnline.co.uk
The reason we are seeing this topic getting more attention now is due to Ofcom beginning to take enforcement measures, with further phases of enforcement expected to continue into 2026.
The numbers show a huge spike in VPN adoption
When enforcement of the OSA kicked off on July 25th, the date when age verification became mandatory, there was a significant surge in VPN searches and downloads. A Forbes advisor poll in June 2025 showed that 72% of Brits use a VPN on some or all of their devices. YouGov published an article a few months later suggesting 55% of people believe VPN use should also be restricted to over 18s. These figures shine a light on the conflict between people’s desire for privacy, and the moral imperative to keep our kids safe online.
Why are we Brits logging on with VPNs
The general consensus is that most VPN users are not trying to circumvent the rules, the main driver for VPN adoption seems to be a genuine preference for everyday privacy. As the pitfalls of ever increasing online monitoring have been brought to the forefront by the OSA, awareness and subsequently concern about personal data being collected has skyrocketed.
“We are increasingly being told that our personal data is at risk, and Brits are looking for solutions to enhance their security and privacy when online” – Casey Charles, editor at VPNOnline.co.uk
Rising awareness of the risks of browsing on public Wi-Fi, and what is perceived as intrusive, or even downright creepy, profiling by advertisers is adding fuel to the privacy fire. In an increasingly monitored online world, Brits are saying yes to the privacy a VPN brings to the table in droves. The low cost and simplicity of modern VPNs only reduce the barrier to adoption even further.
So what are the risks?
There are two sides to this question, it’s worth pointing out that whilst VPNs remain perfectly legal, and a very sensible precaution to take, illegal acts are still illegal. The ability to browse with anonymity is not an excuse for perpetrating online hate speech for example. But is a person looking to express these more reprehensible opinions more likely to feel empowered to do so if they have a guarantee of anonymity? The other side of this is of course the VPN providers themselves. There have been several stories recently about VPNs that have been found to be directly invading the privacy of their users.
What’s the way forward for Online Privacy in the UK?
It seems us Brits generally agree that the objectives of the OSA are highly moral, we should be protecting our children, but is this the right way to go about doing it? Many schools in the UK are now teaching online safety, empowering children to keep themselves safe, which arguably goes further than simply blocking content. Some of the biggest risks our children are exposed to are not prevented by the controls brought in by the OSA. We’ve also seen that a lot of people feel VPNs shouldn’t be available to younger Brits, but does a requirement to verify who you are to the VPN provider infringe on the same privacy the VPN is intended to provide? One thing is certain, as Ofcom’s oversight continues to expand through 2025 and 2026, companies facing potentially expensive penalties for non-compliance with OSA regulations are going to have a fine line to tread, with user privacy on one side, and regulatory compliance on the other.
So should you have a VPN in 2025?
“VPNs are not complicated or expensive anymore. Online security should be a part of your day-to-day digital hygiene, so yes, a VPN is recommended. The key is choosing one that provides protection without introducing risks.” – Paul Martin, Founder of VPNOnline.co.uk
As we continue to transition to a predominantly online society (what can you really do without the internet these days – we get asked if we have “the app” just to buy a coffee!), understanding how to keep ourselves and our families safe online will become a bigger part of everyone’s lives. Here’s some practical advice for UK internet users today.
- Check what data your chosen VPN is collecting.
- You are looking for a ‘no logs’ policy, with independent verification or auditing.
- Keep security features turned on.
- Most providers will have a ‘kill switch’ that blocks traffic if your VPN goes down
- 2 Factor Authentication and unique passwords are still important – use them
- Set your devices to auto update where possible, and apply patches regularly
- Some of the biggest risks come from out of date software
- Stay within the law
- VPN use is 100% legal and recommended by experts in the UK
- You still have to follow Ofcom and NCSC (National Cyber Security Centre) rules online
SurfShark VPN stands out as one of the best options for UK users:
Choosing a VPN can be daunting, but, among several reputable providers, SurfShark VPN stands out as one of the best options for UK users. The combination of security, functionality, ease of use and a reputation for excellence makes it a great choice for UK users at all levels, from casual internet users to online professionals.
About www.vpnonline.co.uk
VPNOnline.co.uk is an independent VPN comparison site, with a laser focus on providing privacy education to UK users. The site publishes in depth articles, reviews, guides and news that helps keep readers informed, and lets them make the right decisions about online privacy for their circumstances. Contact them here.
Press contact: Paul Martin – [email protected]
