Age checks on the internet are becoming more common, with platforms like Reddit, X (Twitter), Xbox, and others now asking users in the U.K., U.S., and Europe to prove they’re over 18 by submitting ID documents. These measures are meant to comply with laws like the U.K.’s Online Safety Bill, but many users see them as intrusive and a risk to their privacy.
NextDNS is experimenting with a workaround. Its new “Bypass Age Verification” option uses DNS-level geo-spoofing to make it appear as though you’re browsing from a region where ID checks aren’t required. Essentially, when you try to access a site with verification prompts, NextDNS reroutes your traffic through a proxy server located in a country without such restrictions.
Enabling the feature is simple: log in at my.nextdns.io, open Settings, and toggle Bypass Age Verification. It’s even available on the free plan. Of course, users must still confirm they’re legally old enough to view the content.
That said, the feature is still in beta. Reports suggest it doesn’t yet work reliably on sites like Reddit and Twitter, and it struggles with services tied to regional accounts (like Xbox) or platforms that require sign-in, such as YouTube. Some users have seen success on select sites, while others haven’t noticed much difference.
Whether this becomes a reliable tool or not, it’s a sign of the growing tension between governments pushing for stricter online safety rules and users looking for ways to protect their privacy. If you’re in the U.K. or other regions rolling out ID checks, NextDNS’ experiment may be worth keeping an eye on.