- Proxy Service Decodo has seen a remarkable increase in the use of proxy from the United Kingdom
- The British are increasingly resorting to VPN and proxies to avoid age verification verifications
- User data can be at risk due to the absence of proxies encryption
The use of power in the United Kingdom is increasing amid the controversial age verification controls in the country. Proxy Decodo research shows a significant increase in proxy users that come from the United Kingdom, since the British seek to avoid the requirements of invasive age verification and protect their privacy.
Like a virtual private network (VPN), a Proxy acts as an intermediary between the device of a user and the Internet. Both the VPN and the proxies surround a user’s Internet traffic through an external server and hide their original IP address, helping to access the restricted content and retain the anonymity online.
Proxies are undoubtedly a useful tool, particularly for companies that seek to carry out market research. However, the average Internet user may not be fully aware of the differences between the best VPN and a proxy services, and how to use a Proxy could be putting their data at risk.
An 88% increase in proxy traffic from the United Kingdom
The age verification requirements of the United Kingdom are in the online Security Law and have impacted not only adult sites, but even social media platforms, including Reddit, X and Bluesky.
Websites and platforms must now have age verification measures to prevent minors from accessing potentially harmful content. The age verification methods include the estimate of the facial age, the age of the credit card and the coincidence of photo ID.
However, age verification is not exempt from concerns, particularly because of its impact on data security and privacy. In fact, a petition to repeal the online security law has attracted more than half a million signatures to date.
Decode, the best proxy site we have reviewed, has revealed a 65% increase in proxy users that come from the United Kingdom, as well as an 88% increase in proxy traffic in the country.
“More organizations in the United Kingdom are investing time to understand the tools that feed safe and efficient online operations,” said Gabriele Verbickaitė, Marketing Manager of Decodo products. “Most companies prove different solutions, suppliers and do their research on Proxies and VPN, and are also making more informed and strategic decisions.”
Unlike VPN, proxies are not mainly for privacy
Although proxies can be an invaluable tool for companies and individuals equally, it is important to understand how they differ from VPNs, particularly in terms of privacy.
The main concern with the representatives about the age verification verifications of the United Kingdom is that, unlike the VPNs, they do not encrypt their Internet traffic. This means that your data, including the websites you visit, can still be seen by fisoteros, including your ISP.
Privacy defenders have serious doubts about whether websites and services implemented by new measures can properly ensure customer data of infractions. It seems to be a valid concern taking into account the numerous rapes of high profile data in recent months.
The safer VPN suppliers find all their outgoing and incoming Internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel, preventing it from seeing it through the indiscreet eyes. This makes a VPN the safest option for the average user that seeks to navigate on the Internet privately.
Thanks to encryption and the way they redirect traffic, VPNs are also more difficult to detect and block than proxies, which makes them a superior option to navigate geographical restrictions and internet censorship.
However, the regulator of the United Kingdom ofcom has discouraged its use to avoid age verification requirements.
Despite this, there has been a significant increase in VPN records in recent weeks. Then it is clear that representatives are also benefiting from the greatest desire in the United Kingdom on online privacy.
