03-08-2025
Britain's most tattooed man says new online safety law is locking him out of the internet
The most tattooed man in the UK has vented his frustrations after his face tattoos have impacted his access to certain websites.
Matthew Whelan, who goes by the alias King of Ink Land, claims 90% of his body is tattooed and says he has undergone 1,600 hours under the needle.
While the tattoos have previously impacted his work life, they are now causing a problem for Matthew's online activity as a result of the new Online Safety Act enacted in the UK. Matthew Whelan, who goes by the alias King of Ink Land, claims 90% of his body is tattooed and says he has undergone 1,600 hours under the needle. Pic: Instagram
The new legislation requires explicit websites, which feature pornography or violence, to request age verification checks in a means to prevent underage users accessing the sites.
The legislation has caused an issue for 45-year-old Matthew as they do not recognise him due to the tattoos.
Speaking to Need To Know, Matthew detailed that he is continuously asked to 'remove my face.'
He said: 'I can't just do a Nicholas Cage or John Travolta like in Face/Off. All this proves is that technology and AI are discriminatory and not set for people with facial tattoos.'
The tattoo fanatic added that he felt he was being 'punished.'
'No matter how different or alternative you look, there is no place for discrimination — especially from technology,' he stated. Pic: Instagram
Despite constantly having his ID questioned, the latest refusal has Matthew 'frustrated.'
'This is who I am,' he insisted, 'Why is it trying to change me?'
The Birmingham native added that he was considering using VPN as a means to bypass the checks. The Birmingham native added that he was considering using VPN as a means to bypass the checks. Pic: Instargram
It comes not long after a Cork fan got a little bit ahead of himself in the run up to the All Ireland Senior Hurling Championships.
To be fair, Cork were red hot favourites to take home the Liam McCarthy for the first time in 20 years last month, having dethroned Limerick as Munster Champions and then hammering seven goals into the back of the net against the Dubs.
With a six-point lead at half-time of the All Ireland final against Tipperary, it looked all but a certainty that Cork would be the best in Ireland. Pic: Skint Tattoo Studio
Unfortunately for Cork fans, Tipp dominated the second half of the match, with the final score a resounding 3-27 to 1-18.
Among the uber confident Cork supporters was Michael John who even got an ink to commemorate a week before the final.
The tattoo, which is placed on the GAA fans arm, reads: 'Cork All Ireland Senior Hurling Champions 2025.'
Skint Tattoo Studio took to Facebook to share pictures of the ink, which was done by business owner Darragh Murphy.
