(Web Desk) - VPN apps have shot to the top of Apple’s App Store in the UK after sites such as PornHub, Reddit and X introduced age verification. Virtual private networks (VPNs) hide a user’s location by routing internet traffic through a remote server. This allows people to browse as if they are in another country. Many appear to be using them to bypass new rules under the Online Safety Act.

The Act requires platforms with adult content to verify user age through ID uploads or facial age estimation. Currently, half of the top 10 free apps on the UK App Store are VPNs. Swiss firm Proton said it had seen a 1,800% spike in UK daily sign-ups over the weekend. A spokesperson said: “This clearly shows that adults are concerned about the impact universal age verification laws will have on their privacy.” Free VPN also saw “a significant surge” in UK users, vice president of engineering Rajat Vaghani said.

However, cybersecurity experts warn that free VPN services can put users at risk. Daniel Card, a cyber-security expert with BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT, said: “Many of these free VPNs are riddled with issues. “Some act as traffic brokers for data harvesting firms, others are so poorly built they expose users to attacks.” Card explained that such apps “end up in the hands of kids trying to watch age-restricted content” or adults “trying to get round blocks”. He added: “That’s the uncomfortable truth: people will take risks to get what they want online.” Children’s safety groups have raised concerns about young users accessing VPNs.

Katie Freeman-Tayler, of Internet Matters, said the availability of free and low-cost VPN services to children is “concerning”. She said: “This makes it easy for them to circumvent important protections introduced under the Online Safety Act, such as age checks designed to shield them from adult content.” Ofcom says platforms must introduce “highly effective” age checks but cannot host content promoting VPN use to bypass them.

The government also said it would be illegal for platforms to encourage VPN use in this way. Free VPN providers on the App Store state that connections are private, secure and encrypted.

Some apps display adverts to remain free and claim they do not share user data with third parties. Yet experts remain cautious. Card said: “While more privacy-conscious users might stick to reputable services… the average person won’t. “They’ll download the first free app with decent reviews, often without realising they’re handing over access to their data.”