Institutional development · Research, innovation and assessment · United Kingdom
Newcastle University study suggests Online Safety Act is driving interest in VPNs
Research from Newcastle University suggests people have changed how they behave online in response to the Online Safety Act, with greater interest in VPNs raising possible privacy and security risks.
Why it matters: The Newcastle University findings concern internet users whose behaviour shifted after legislation meant to stop children viewing harmful content, with possible privacy and security risks.
Newcastle University said research suggests people's online behaviour has changed in response to legislation designed to prevent children from viewing harmful content.
According to the university, the Online Safety Act has driven interest in VPNs (virtual private networks).
The university said these behavioural changes raise possible privacy and security risks.
Editor’s view
Scott James, Research and Innovation Editor
According to the Newcastle University research, legislation intended to shield children from harmful content has changed how people behave online, including increased interest in VPNs, and that shift may carry privacy and security risks for the users concerned.
