Could VPNs be banned? UK government to look "very closely" into their usage following spike after age verification row

Peter Kyle speaks onstage during the "Government & AI" panel discussion on day one of SXSW London 2025 at the Truman Brewery on June 02, 2025 in London, England.

• UK science secretary denies there are plans to ban VPNs
• The government is, however, looking "very closely" at how VPNs are being used
• VPN demand has soared in the UK since new age verification checks came into play on July 25

VPN sign-ups in the UK have skyrocketed since new age verification checks were enforced on July 25, as Brits look for ways to bypass the new requirements.