Britain’s Online Safety Act, in force since 25 July, is generating roughly five million additional age-verification checks every day, according to data cited by the Age Verification Providers Association. The law compels websites that are likely to be accessed by minors to deploy measures such as facial scans, photo-ID uploads or credit-card checks, with non-compliant firms facing fines of up to £18 million or 10 % of global revenue, whichever is higher. Ministers say the rules are needed to shield under-18s from pornography, self-harm content and other online harms, but platforms have begun restricting a wider range of material, from Gaza-war posts on X to Reddit forums on pet care, for users who have not proved their age. The resulting limits have driven a spike in privacy tools: Proton VPN reported an 1,800 % jump in daily UK sign-ups, and searches for rival services are also surging. The clampdown has become a political flash-point. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage has vowed to repeal the act, prompting Technology Secretary Peter Kyle to accuse opponents of siding with child predators. A US delegation led by Republican congressman Jim Jordan met Kyle and regulator Ofcom last week, warning that the law ‘targets’ American tech companies and threatens free speech. Domestically, a petition demanding repeal has surpassed 480,000 signatures, ensuring a parliamentary debate. Industry lawyers expect further disputes as platforms balance rapid takedowns with protections for lawful content.