The UK Online Safety Act explained: rules, age checks and fines

On 25 July 2025, millions of British internet users met a new kind of pop-up. Adult sites, and a growing list of social platforms, forums and dating apps, started asking them to prove their age with a face scan, a bank check or a photo of their ID. Within days, Proton reported that UK sign-ups to its VPN had jumped by more than 1,400%. A petition to repeal the law…