VPN Use is Very Common in the UK
If you’re using a VPN in the UK, you’re not exactly standing out from the crowd. In fact, judging by a survey conducted by Forbes magazine in June 2025, around one in two Brits surfing online regularly use VPNs. 49% of respondents in the survey said they use a VPN on at least some of their devices, whilst 24% said they use a VPN on all of their devices. Keep-in-mind that this survey was carried out BEFORE the Online Safety Act came into force in late July, since when sales and downloads of VPNs in the UK have supposedly skyrocketed.
There is no Stigma in Using a VPN in the UK
Given recent rhetoric from the UK government, and even fears that they might go as far as banning the use of VPNs (something that is very unlikely to happen), you may feel that you are doing something suspect or attention drawing if you are simply using a VPN. But clearly,, that’s not the case at all. If you are an adult and using a VPN for lawful purposes in the UK, then it’s nobody’s business. In fact, using a VPN is very sensible for a whole host of reasons, from enhancing security of confidential information such as banking details, to protecting yourself from hackers over public wi-fi systems.. Not to mention that virtually all British MPs use VPNs themselves (and charge the taxpayer by claiming VPN subscriptions as expenses!).
Why do Brits Use VPNs?
The Forbes 2025 survey into the use of VPNs by the British public found that reasons for using VPNs varied. The most common reason was for security when using public Wi-Fi networks, for example in airports or cafes. A whopping 34% of respondents gave this as a reason. Close behind at 33% was to protect confidential and sensitive information such as banking details and personal emails. 27% said they used VPNs to encrypt information, and 23% said it was to access streaming services or websites only available in certain countries.
As far as actual use cases, the survey found that the most common reason for using a VPN in the UK was when downloading/uploading files (33%), as well as online banking (also 33%). Close behind was streaming movies and TV shows (30%) with online shopping the fourth most popular use case (27%).
