VPNs are booming in the UK after age restriction laws, but free options carry big risks
The United Kingdom's Online Safety Act took effect on July 25th. Among other provisions, the new law makes websites responsible for protecting UK children from content deemed harmful, like pornography or the promotion of eating disorders. This has resulted in many of the most-used websites, including Pornhub, X and Reddit, either putting up or planning to put up age verification barriers to restrict access by minors.
Age-restricting laws put broadly popular websites in a difficult position. Sites like Reddit that rely on user-generated content have no good way of making sure nobody under 18 ever sees restricted material anywhere on the platform, so it's usually simpler to just ban minors altogether. But this creates a knock-on problem: underage users relying on unvetted free virtual private networks (VPNs) to get back on their favorite platforms.
UK residents are using VPNs to change their apparent locations to other countries and circumvent the Online Safety Act. In the few days since the law went into force, five of the 10 most-downloaded free apps in the UK have been VPNs. We like two of the five, Proton VPN and NordVPN, but NordVPN does not have a free plan — just a seven-day free trial, after which you have to pay. The other three are unvetted, untested and suspiciously generic (VPN Super Unlimited Proxy, FreeVPN.org and Unlimited VPN Proxy).
When you use a VPN, all your web traffic goes through one of the VPN's servers before moving on to its ultimate destination. Every time you connect, you're trusting the VPN not to abuse its access to your information, and some VPNs unfortunately abuse that trust. A free VPN is generally safe if it's supported by paid subscriptions, like Proton is. If there is no paid tier, or the free tier comes with no restrictions, you have to ask yourself where the money is coming from.
The saying that "if the product is free, then the real product is you" holds true here. For example, Hola VPN admits in its terms of service that its sister company Bright Data can sell free users' residential IPs as proxy servers, and Hotspot Shield was the subject of an FTC complaint in 2017 that charged it with providing personally identifiable information to advertisers. And one of the services on the UK's top 10 list, FreeVPN.org, has no address on its website and a frighteningly sparse privacy policy.
Malware is the other significant risk. A 2016 study analyzed 283 Android apps with VPN capability, and found malware in 38% of them. Nor has the threat diminished in the 10 years since — just this year, threat analysts at CYFIRMA reported on a free VPN shared on GitHub being used as a malware vector.
In the end, a fully free VPN has no real reason to protect you or your rights, and every incentive to milk you for profit. Whatever you choose to do with a VPN, make sure you're picking one that will keep you save without exploiting you. Green flags include a clear pricing structure, audits from independent firms in the last three years, a specific physical location on the VPN's website and a thorough privacy policy. Some trustworthy free VPNs include the aforementioned Proton VPN, plus hide.me, TunnelBear and Windscribe.
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Why misinformation threatens the future of EVs
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While there are practical concerns for the industry to overcome, the reality often bears little resemblance to the situation frequently described to consumers. As Erin Baker, Editorial Director at Autotrader points out, "Many still believe EVs are too expensive, unreliable, or hard to charge, but the facts say otherwise. More than a third of used EVs are under £20,000, drivers can save up to £1,500 a year on running costs, and there are over 80,000 public chargers across the UK. With new electric car ranges averaging 290 miles between charges and lifetime emissions a third of petrol cars, there's also a much wider selection of EVs available at more price ranges, which is bringing us closer to making EVs accessible for everyone." Vicky Read, CEO of ChargeUK, puts the number of chargers at 82,000. 'There are 8,000 petrol stations,' she adds for comparison. 'Most people use a blend of charging solutions. Most EV drivers have a home charger, so they will use that and use the public network when they're out and about. There's public works that work alongside the private network and a million home and workplace chargers. That gives us over a million chargers for 1.5 million EVs, so we are not far off parity. The statement 'there aren't any chargers' is just not right.' One of the factors driving that misconception is simply that a lot of work is taking place and changes are happening fast. 'In 2024, the number of chargers grew 42% year-on-year. The situation is really different to people's perception and still changing very quickly,' Read tells us. 'The average person, through no fault of their own, is just not aware how quickly it's growing and how many chargers there are.' Running through the common recurring objections to electric vehicles, they are easy to debunk. People talk about price, but recent research from organisations like Andersen shows EVs can save drivers around 50% less per year in running costs compared to petrol or diesel cars. Range anxiety is a frequently cited concern, but as Sarah Blewett, Head of Research at Carwow points out, 'Range anxiety is largely outdated now - which is a great thing. Most new EVs offer 300 to 400 miles of range - and when you consider the average UK driver only does 20 miles a day, that's more than enough for most journeys.' 32% of Carwow respondents cited range anxiety as a key concern, but modern EVs come with warranties of up to eight years or 100,000 miles. Many manufacturers guarantee repair or replacement if the battery's capacity drops below 70%. Blewett tells us she still gets people asking if EVs are safe in floods or heatwaves, or even if you can get electrocuted by washing one. 'EVs undergo the same strict safety testing as any other car - they're built for real-world conditions,' she counters. 'There is misinformation out there which is perhaps deliberate or has an agenda,' says Read. 'But there's also a lot of information coverage or people's own understanding, which isn't accurate and up to date.' But whether these perceptions are true or not, the impact that they have on consumer decisions is very real. 'Negative stories and scandalous headlines get traction - meaning consumers are confused about whether these cars actually work, and will work for them - even if they are generally supportive of the idea of the transition to electric,' says Edmonds. 'When we talk to EV drivers through our surveys, nearly 70% of them believe that misinformation is a key barrier preventing drivers from choosing electric as their next car purchase. When we talk to drivers who haven't yet decided to make the switch, we spend our time having to bust myths about range, battery life, charge point availability, and safety.' Baker tells us that research conducted by Autotrader showed that mistruths repeated in various media sources were impacting consumer confidence in electric cars, with 72% of consumers aware of the false 'electric cars catch fire' narrative and 44% incorrectly believing it is true - which has made them less likely to go electric. Similarly, 70% had heard that 'EVs are not cheaper to run' with 33% agreeing that they believe this to be true, and that this has also made them less likely to buy an electric car.' 'We see misconceptions like these as a major barrier to adoption. If drivers aren't confident an EV can match the convenience of a petrol or diesel car, they're simply not going to make the switch,' says Blewett. Back in November 2023, Carwow research showed that 21% of buyers were what they call 'passive considerers' - open to an EV, but not for their next car. After the announcement of the Electric Car Grant recently, that figure jumped to a huge 39%. Electric Car Grant Launched As Blewett says, 'It's clear that until we tackle the myths head-on - with facts, not fear - many buyers will remain on the fence.' But to confront those myths head-on, first you need to know where they're coming from. While the fast moving market and technology can account for some outdated information, it doesn't account for all of it. Edmonds points to multiple sources. 'Social media and the press are powerful tools for providing people with information,' she says. 'It is therefore disappointing to see a large amount of inaccurate reporting in the press, failure to check facts or talk to EV drivers or industry experts when researching stories, and the subsequent amplification of negative and inaccurate messages and headlines through social media.' Baker agrees, 'While the exact source of these misconceptions is unclear, it's evident that isolated incidents have often been sensationalised. Both Industry and government recognise that electric vehicles represent the future of transportation. For those who remain uncertain, we encourage independent research using credible, fact-based sources to gain a clearer understanding.' That process of identifying and over-emphasising isolated incidents is one that Blewett points to as well, sometimes with an agenda behind it. 'Unfortunately, we do see media stories stir confusion, often amplified by celebrities, social media or politically motivated commentary,' she says. 'Headlines do appear to exaggerate isolated issues - like long charging queues or cold-weather range drops - without offering full context. It's not that these challenges don't exist - they do - but some reporting skews heavily negative, especially when it comes to the pace of infrastructure rollout or battery concerns.' Read argues that ultimately the priority is not identifying where this misinformation comes from, but in countering it. 'The biggest issue is not deliberate misinformation in all forms, it's the gap ordinary people have through no fault or agenda between what they know and what they don't know,' Read argues. 'We need to close that gap to empower people.' Blewett suggests the best way to do that is to try to amplify the progress that is already happening around electric vehicles. 'Positive developments - like 400-mile ranges, falling costs, or the growth of rapid charging networks - need to be talked about much more,' Blewett tells us. 'That's why we're committed to providing consumers with clear, fact-based information to cut through the noise.' Those efforts are widespread among private businesses, trade organisations and the government. Read tells us that ChargeUK has been working with Autotrader, as well as car industry trade association SMMT to build an industry-wide initiative called 'The Facts'. It is designed to combat misinformation surrounding EVs and is endorsed by the Department for Transport and is championed by the BVRLA, Zapmap and the National Franchised Dealers Association. 'It is the most basic facts boiled down,' Read says. 'The cost of EVs, accurate information about batteries, the number of charge points, and commonly asked questions and concerns people have. That is updated quarterly.' Baker is also proud of what these organisations have achieved. 'Creating a clear source of accurate information, The Facts is a tool to share more balanced and evidence-based information with consumers, the industry and the media to help build consistency and accuracy around electric vehicles,' she says. 'Government action and clear, confident signalling in support of the electric transition is crucial. Following the government's launch of the Electric Car Grant on Monday, 14 July, the electric share of enquiries on new cars priced at £37,000 or less doubled within a single day on Autotrader. For the first time in months, demand outpaced supply. The message is clear: when government leads with clear and supportive measures, consumers respond.' ChargeUK is also meeting with the government and other stakeholders across the EV industry to discuss ways to convey accurate information to customers. 'It's about how you bring together facts in a way that makes a difference to normal people and address that vacuum of information,' Read tells us. But facts alone are not enough to move the needle, as Blewett points out. 'Countering EV misinformation isn't just about shouting facts louder - it's about consistently presenting the truth through credible, trusted sources. That means clear, accessible information from OEMs, retailers, and platforms like Carwow that consumers already turn to for car advice,' says Blewett. 'Education is key and we're fortunate that Mat Watson, Carwow's Chief Content Officer and face of our YouTube channel is so well-recognised by consumers as a trusted voice on cars.' Blewett argues that this work to counter misinformation must also come alongside other motivating factors. 'Incentives also play a crucial role and we're starting to see brands, particularly newer entrants from China, respond to the Electric Car Grant by offering aggressive pricing and added value to nudge consumers toward EVs,' Blewett says. 'In the first seven days following the announcement of the Grant, we've seen a 124% increase in enquiries for EVs priced under £37,000, and a 57% increase in enquiries for those EVs priced above that level. This shows how powerful the right support can be in shifting consumer sentiment.' Edmonds points out that the most effective channels might not be through marketing campaigns, whether they are from trade associations or the government. Even online social media has its limits. 'There are a number of consumer-focused surveys that suggest that people trust the views of friends and family when making decisions for their household more than anything else,' Edmonds tells us. 'That's why the voice of the EV driver is so critical. Giving EV drivers the tools to provide their family, friends and colleagues with as much information about the cars as possible, and amplifying the EV driver's view in the press, are both incredibly important. It's what we at EVA England strive to do, and need to see more of.' Autotrader has also seen that the more old fashioned kind of social media yields results. 'Data shows that the most effective way to combat misinformation is by empowering consumers to share their own experiences with family and friends,' says Baker. 'Word of mouth remains the most trusted form of social proof, and as adoption grows, this will happen organically as owning an electric car becomes normal for many drivers. For women in particular, friends and family are the key influencers in the shift to electric vehicles. In fact, 41% say that recommendations from friends or family are their most reliable source when making a car purchase decision.' Ultimately, Blewett says that ensuring consumers have the right information is a joint responsibility. 'We all have a responsibility - from government to media, manufacturers to marketplaces - to make sure buyers get the right information, because without trust and clarity, myths will continue to win,' she concludes. It is easy to see why people in all corners want to focus on creating channels for reliable and accurate information around EVs. But social media does not appear on its own, and misinformation can not all be put down to outdated information. It is also important to identify who is spreading that misinformation and why. iVendi: misinformation means 8% of finance quotes could be wrong Fleet managers tackle misinformation surrounding EVs: AFP Which EVs provoke the least range anxiety? "Why misinformation threatens the future of EVs" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
Gizmodo
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Ditch Your Old VPN: Slash $570 Off NordVPN Today (Limited-Time Offer)
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