The UK just learned the hard way that good intentions don’t always make good policy.

Their shiny new Online Safety Act was supposed to protect kids from adult content by forcing websites to verify user ages - but plot twist, it’s basically doing the exact opposite.

The Unintended Consequences

Researchers discovered something hilarious and horrifying: websites that actually followed the rules saw their traffic plummet, while rebellious sites that said “nah” to age verification saw their visitor numbers skyrocket. We’re talking about one site doubling its traffic year-over-year. Talk about a regulatory backfire.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

Out of the top 90 porn sites in the UK, 14 sites completely ignored the new law. And guess what? They’re thriving. These digital outlaws are essentially giving the government’s well-intentioned legislation a massive middle finger - and winning.

The Expert Take

John Scott-Railton from the University of Toronto’s Citizen Lab called it a “textbook illustration of the law of unintended consequences”. Basically, the law is pushing users towards less compliant - and potentially less safe - platforms. Oops.

So what’s the lesson here? Sometimes, trying to regulate the internet is like trying to nail jello to a wall - messy, complicated, and ultimately futile.