It’s rare that the worlds of tech and politics collide with quite such force as they have in the UK this week, with the Online Safety Bill’s new age verification checks coming into effect with an almighty bang.
Though the legislation is designed to protect young people from online harm, the impact is being felt far more widely, with platforms from Spotify to Xbox being forced to implement age checks. VPN use has duly soared, while a petition to repeal the act has gathered tens of thousands of signatures.
Don’t think all this applies to you? Five European countries are also testing similar approaches, while Australia has banned under 16s from watching YouTube, and the Google-owned service has stated that it will use AI to estimate the ages of users in the US.
All of this calls into question the very idea of a free and open internet as a concept. Clearly, tech companies need to do more to protect children from online harms – but there are justified concerns about the impact this has on people’s privacy, and the extent to which it affects all internet users, regardless of age.
You can catch up on the whole debate, and the rest of the week's big tech news, below – and then take your mind off all of this serious stuff by checking out our suggestions for what to watch on your favorite streaming services this weekend.
Marc McLaren, Global Editor-in-Chief
The week in online privacy
UK internet users are up in arms over new age verification rules (Getty Images / Pugun SJ)
Opposition to the UK's Online Safey Act is growing as tech platforms begin introducing age checks for users – we break down the new rules, and the biggest complaints.
Meta boss Mark Zuckerberg has been speaking on the future of AI, and says personal superintelligence is now within reach, through the power of (Meta's) smart glasses.
The Galaxy Z Fold 7 is setting preorder records, perhaps signaling that foldables are having a moment – and it's given us high hopes for Samsung's upcoming tri-fold phone.
NordVPN is our top VPN of 2025, and right now it's offering up to 76% off plans, plus an Amazon gift card worth up to $50 / £50. And we've secured an exclusive extra perk for TechRadar readers: sign up via our link and you'll get an extra four months of service free!
There's a new name in drones to take on DJI: Antigravity has announced the first 360-degree flying camera, powered by Insta360's tech, and you can color us excited.
All but one of the big streamers have something new to offer this weekend, from whimsical romance My Oxford Year on Netflix to Final Destination: Bloodlines on HBO Max.
