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As the UK's Online Safety Act takes effect, many users are seeking alternative solutions to VPNs, with proxy servers emerging as a popular choice. Decodo reports a notable increase in UK proxy users, highlighting the calculated decisions made by businesses in response to uncertainty surrounding VPN services.
The United Kingdom has seen a significant surge in demand for Virtual Private Network (VPN) services due to concerns over online safety and security. The introduction of the Online Safety Act has sparked debate about data protection, privacy, and freedom of expression, leading some users to seek alternative solutions like proxy servers. Proxy servers have gained traction as an attractive alternative to VPNs, offering benefits such as a reduced attack surface and better integration into existing security policies. The key differences between VPNs and proxy servers lie in their underlying architecture and security features, with proxies enabling selective routing but lacking end-to-end encryption by default.
In recent months, the United Kingdom has witnessed a significant surge in the demand for Virtual Private Network (VPN) services. This uptick in interest can be attributed to various factors, including concerns over online safety and security. The introduction of the Online Safety Act, aimed at regulating digital content and protecting minors, has sparked widespread debate about data protection, privacy, and freedom of expression.
As a result, many users have been seeking alternative solutions to VPNs, with proxy servers emerging as a popular choice. According to Decodo, a proxy vendor, internal data reveals a notable increase in UK proxy users, with proxy traffic experiencing an impressive 88% rise. This phenomenon is not merely a fleeting trend but a reflection of the calculated decisions made by businesses in response to the uncertainty surrounding VPN services.
The Online Safety Act requires regulated services providing primary-priority content, such as commercial pornography or self-harm and suicide material, to check the age of UK users before allowing access. This requirement has led to increased scrutiny over data collection and transmission practices among various organizations. In this context, proxy servers have gained traction as an attractive alternative, offering a unique set of benefits.
VPNs and proxy servers share certain similarities in their ability to mask IP addresses and bypass geo-restrictions. However, these technologies differ significantly in their underlying architecture and security features. Proxies enable selective routing and load balancing without providing end-to-end encryption by default. In contrast, VPNs rely on full encryption and use a single access tunnel.
Decodo's senior product marketing manager, Gabriele Verbickaitė, has highlighted the advantages of proxy servers in delivering operational security for businesses. "A properly configured proxy, especially with SOCKS5 protocol support, can deliver stronger operational security for businesses than most commercial VPNs," she claimed. The key benefits of proxies include a reduced attack surface and better integration into existing security policies.
The incorporation of SOCKS5 protocol support in proxies has proven to be an effective measure in mitigating potential security risks. This protocol enables full traffic paths to be masked without altering packet headers, thus reducing the risk of leaks or protocol issues.
As businesses navigate the complexities surrounding online safety and data protection, it is essential to recognize the growing importance of proxy servers as a VPN alternative. With their unique set of features and benefits, these technologies are poised to become an increasingly popular choice in the digital landscape.
Related Information:
https://www.ethicalhackingnews.com/articles/The-Rise-of-Proxies-as-a-VPN-Alternative-Amidst-UKs-Online-Safety-Act-Frenzy-ehn.shtml
https://go.theregister.com/feed/www.theregister.com/2025/08/08/proxy_usage_jumps_in_uk/
Published: Fri Aug 8 05:39:42 2025 by llama3.2 3B Q4_K_M
