Online safety laws behind surge in VPN use
Proton VPN overtook ChatGPT to become the top free app in the UK. The Swiss-based company said it had seen a more than 1800 per cent increase in daily sign-ups from UK-based users since Friday.
On X, Proton said: 'We would normally associate these large spikes in sign-ups with major civil unrest. This clearly shows that adults are concerned about the impact universal age verification laws will have on their privacy'.
Nord, another VPN provider, said there had been a 1000 per cent increase in UK purchases of VPN subscriptions since the new rules kicked in.
Data from Google Trends also showed a significant increase in search queries for VPNs in the UK this weekend, with up to 10 times more people looking for VPNs at peak times.
Rules 'not foolproof' for teenagers
Oliver Griffiths, Ofcom group director for online safety, told the Financial Times that the watchdog's age verification rules would not be 'foolproof' for a 'determined teenager', just as under-18s are sometimes able to buy alcohol in UK stores.
Mr Griffiths said: 'There are opportunities for people to use VPNs, but this is part of a broader system approach.'
Opposition to the new rules has grown in recent days, with a petition submitted through the UK Parliament website attracting more than 280,000 signatures.
The petition demands that the Online Safety Act be withdrawn, with a surge of signatures being added to the document in the past week.
Under the Online Safety Act, websites that ignore the new laws could be fined up to £18m, or 10 per cent of worldwide revenue.
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The Official Receiver should be in contact with creditors and customers to provide an update regarding the closure of the Company and the proposed Liquidation proceedings. 'We would like to thank our staff, customers and all involved with Sky Dive Buzz for their support over the years and apologise again that we have been left with little other option but to close.' In a social media post, Dunkeswell Aerodome said: 'We would like to thank our staff, customers and all involved with Sky Dive Buzz for their support over the years and apologise again that we have been left with little other option but to close.' Inquests have been opened into the tragic deaths of Belinda and Adam. In recent weeks the company had stopped answering calls and customers said bookings had been cancelled, The Sun reported. One customer said they have lost £550 after paying for three skydives which have now been cancelled. 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While continuing his 'passion' as a self-employed sky dive instructor, Mr Harrison had been attending AECC University College in Bournemouth as a full-time 'Chiropractic Student'. His family yesterday said he was 'on the brink of qualifying' and embarking on the new career. Paying tribute to their 'beloved son, brother, uncle and friend', they added: 'He showed everyone that you could do anything if you work hard enough. 'We love you, Adam, more than you know. You were a hero to your nieces and nephews and we will never stop thinking about you. 'Adam had built a sterling reputation as a professional instructor, and we take comfort in knowing that he would undoubtedly have done everything in his power to avert any crisis.' Mr Harrison joined GoSkydive in July 2017, where he learned to 'pack parachutes, harness and entertain customers' before being promoted to an instructor after years of training. He then left to take up a self-employed role at Skydive Buzz, in September 2021. Advertising the 15,000ft jump, the website reads: 'Once in a lifetime experience? Ticking the bucket list? Jumping for charity? Whatever your reason, if you can afford too; jump from the ultimate altitude! No-one jumps from higher in the UK!' Ms Taylor's son, Elias, 20, told how his mother had been becoming more 'adventurous' after meeting her new boyfriend Scott Armstrong, who brought the jump for her as a present. The university student who lives in west London also revealed that she had been making jokes about making the jump on Friday the 13th, a date which often prompts superstitions. He said: 'She really just put everyone above herself. It's really difficult for (younger sister) Emily as she was the one living there with mum. 'I spoke to her a week before it happened. It's kind of weird thinking about it now, but at the time obviously she was saying how the jump would take place on Friday 13th and all those things... you don't really expect what happened to happened. 'She was mentioning it in a jokey way. 'It's all still a bit of a shock. Recently she had (boyfriend) Scott and two of his kids, and looked after them. She was getting more adventurous with him, kayaking and stuff, looking to have that excitement and have more fun. 'She talked for ages and ages, and always wanted to have a chat. She was such a positive person.' He added: 'We just want answers about what happened and how it could have happened. 'We want as much information as possible, we feel like it would help us be at peace.' Grieving partner Mr Armstrong has demanded information about what caused the tragedy, which is now being probed by the British Skydiving Board of Inquiry. Ms Taylor's ex-husband Bachir Baaklini was also in tears as he described wanting 'justice' for Ms Taylor, with whom he shares two biological children, Elias and Emily, 13. Speaking at his family home in west London, Mr Baaklini told MailOnline: 'We want her to rest in peace but we need justice. 'This should not have happened. We have got to know why the kids lost their mum.' Mr Armstrong revealed how he watched in horror as it happened - after buying her the jump as a present. He wrote on social media: 'I want answers. They took my world away.' He added: 'I miss you so much, you were my best friend, thank you for everything you done for me. From making my children feel at home to putting up with my mess. 'I'm so lost without you. There's just so much that I don't have the words to express it. I feel so lost I don't know where home is without you.' He has also described buying the sky dive jump experience for Ms Taylor, also a grandmother-of-two, as a 'thank you' gesture - and witnessed what happened alongside his nine-year-old son. He told the Mirror: 'The plan was to do a 7,000ft jump, but at the last minute she said she wanted to do a 15,000ft one, so I paid the extra money. They were the last group to go up. 'I found Belinda and the instructor lying there, still together, both clearly dead. It was a horrific sight. 'I miss her so much. I'm so lost without her. She meant the world to all of us and we'll never forget her. She was an adrenaline junkie and an adventurer. She'd done kayaking and all sorts.' Belinda's eldest son Connor Bowles also gave a tribute to his mother. He said: 'On Friday, June 13, our family lost our mum Belinda Taylor. 'She was a mother of four children, three adult boys and one teenage girl, and a grandmother to two young children. 'She was a selfless woman who wanted only the best for others and especially her loved ones. 'She will be deeply missed and will leave an everlasting impression on all those she has met in life. 'We as a family would like to ask for peace and privacy during this time whilst we grieve our loss and remember our mum as we should do.' Ms Taylor had three adult sons and a teenage daughter, as well as welcoming Mr Armstrong's nine-year-old son.
