Internet checking in U.K. online safety act in force

[3NUMBAS]

We don't usually get ourselves involved in opinion pieces but with all the recent press relating to the recently implemented UK Online Safety Act we felt compelled to pen some thoughts.

You’ve probably heard about the UK Online Safety Act—presented as a way to protect children online but in reality, it’s morphing into tech censorship.

Platforms must now enforce age checks for content like self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, bullying and more.

It’s not just adult sites: social media, forums, even hobbyist communities are demanding ID, bank checks or face scans.

Smaller niche sites are blocking UK users entirely because they can’t afford compliance.

The Act is already in force—anonymity and access are under threat.

We believe it is authoritarian. Even encrypted services are under pressure. What started as child protection has now turned into broad censorship without you even realising it. Outlawing encouraging or facilitating suicide is eminently sensible but some legitimate, non-controversial content including a parliamentary speech on grooming gangs was restricted or age-gated under the new rules.

How You Can Protect Yourself

VPN use in the UK has surged since the Act came into force. Users are turning to VPNs to bypass intrusive age checks and access content that’s being unfairly restricted.

And no—VPNs don’t slow your browsing anymore. Modern providers deliver near-native speeds, even for streaming or gaming.

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just received this in my email from a software company

[johng]

it's all for the protection of children and if you have nothing to hide etc etc...what a load of ####

[josephbloggs]

46 minutes ago, 3NUMBAS said:

We don't usually get ourselves involved in opinion pieces but with all the recent press relating to the recently implemented UK Online Safety Act we felt compelled to pen some thoughts.

You’ve probably heard about the UK Online Safety Act—presented as a way to protect children online but in reality, it’s morphing into tech censorship.

Platforms must now enforce age checks for content like self-harm, suicide, eating disorders, bullying and more.

It’s not just adult sites: social media, forums, even hobbyist communities are demanding ID, bank checks or face scans.

Smaller niche sites are blocking UK users entirely because they can’t afford compliance.

The Act is already in force—anonymity and access are under threat.

We believe it is authoritarian. Even encrypted services are under pressure. What started as child protection has now turned into broad censorship without you even realising it. Outlawing encouraging or facilitating suicide is eminently sensible but some legitimate, non-controversial content including a parliamentary speech on grooming gangs was restricted or age-gated under the new rules.

How You Can Protect Yourself

VPN use in the UK has surged since the Act came into force. Users are turning to VPNs to bypass intrusive age checks and access content that’s being unfairly restricted.

And no—VPNs don’t slow your browsing anymore. Modern providers deliver near-native speeds, even for streaming or gaming.

-++++++++++++++++++++++.       +++++++++

just received this in my email from a software company

So you received a spam marketing email from someone selling VPNs. And?

[3NUMBAS]

Apple reports a big uptake on vpns from there App Store 

 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn72ydj70g5o